Back to Indiana

SB208 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning insurance.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning insurance.

Healthcare Labor
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Senator Michael Crider
Last action
2026-01-20
Official status
Introduced Senate Bill (S)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Firefighter Cancer Insurance Act

This act requires health insurance plans for firefighters to cover screening tests for certain forms of cancer, mandates local public employers to provide cancer insurance for active and retired firefighters, allows retirement system trustees to contract with insurers for group cancer coverage, and directs the Department of Homeland Security to create a cancer awareness program.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires health insurance plans for firefighters to include screening tests for certain forms of cancer.
  • Mandates local public employers to provide cancer insurance for active, retired, and disabled firefighters.
  • Allows the Indiana Public Retirement System trustees to work with insurance companies to offer group cancer coverage to eligible firefighters.
  • Directs the Department of Homeland Security to develop a program that teaches fire department members about reducing their risk of getting cancer.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Firefighters who are active, retired, or receiving disability benefits
  • Local public employers providing health insurance for firefighters
  • Insurance companies working with the Indiana Public Retirement System

Terms To Know

Cancer screening
Medical tests to check for cancer before symptoms appear.
Local unit public employer
A government agency or organization that employs firefighters and provides them with health insurance.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify which types of cancer will be covered by the screening tests.
  • It is unclear how much funding will be provided for the new insurance programs.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-20 Senate

    Senator Maxwell added as coauthor

  2. 2026-01-15 Senate

    Senator Dernulc added as second author

  3. 2026-01-15 Senate

    Senator Doriot added as third author

  4. 2026-01-15 Senate

    Senator Ford J.D. added as coauthor

  5. 2026-01-15 Senate

    Senator Hunley added as coauthor

  6. 2026-01-15 Senate

    Senators Pol, Niezgodski added as coauthors

  7. 2026-01-08 Senate

    Authored by Senator Crider

  8. 2026-01-08 Senate

    First reading: referred to Committee on Pensions and Labor

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning insurance.
Firefighter cancer insurance.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning insurance.

Firefighter cancer insurance.

Requires a group health insurance program for firefighters to provide coverage for the screening of certain forms of cancer. Requires a local unit public employer to provide cancer insurance for active firefighters, retired firefighters, and firefighters who are receiving disability benefits. Allows the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system to enter into agreements with one or more insurance companies to provide group cancer insurance for active firefighters, retired firefighters, and firefighters who are receiving disability benefits. Requires the department of homeland security to develop a firefighter cancer awareness and prevention program to provide relevant information to fire department personnel and volunteers concerning best practices for reducing the risk of cancer.