Provides access to periodic cancer screening examinations for volunteer firefighters through SHBP physicians and other providers.

S1583 TR

SENATE, No. 1583

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Senator CARMEN F. AMATO, JR.

District 9 (Ocean)

Senator ANTHONY M. BUCCO

District 25 (Morris and Passaic)

Co-Sponsored by:

Senators Singleton, Diegnan, Schepisi, Stack, Beach,
Zwicker, Polistina, Steinhardt and Turner

SYNOPSIS

���� Provides access to periodic cancer screening
examinations for volunteer firefighters through SHBP physicians and other
providers.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As reported by the Senate State Government, Wagering,
Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee with technical review.

��

An Act
concerning access to periodic cancer screening
examinations for volunteer firefighters and supplementing Title 52 of the
Revised Statutes.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

����
1.��� a.� A volunteer
firefighter serving in a fire district of this State, or a fire department,
unit, or company of or in this State or a political subdivision of this State,
shall be provided a cancer screening examination conducted by a physician who
participates in the State Health Benefits Program network not less than three
years after the start of the firefighter's service as a volunteer firefighter
and every three years thereafter during the course of the firefighter's
volunteer service.� The examination shall include screening for, at a minimum
and when applicable, the following cancers:

���� (1) colon;

���� (2) lung;

���� (3) bladder;

���� (4) oral;

���� (5) thyroid;

���� (6) skin;

���� (7) blood;

���� (8) breast;

���� (9) cervical

���� (10) testicular; and

���� (11) prostate.

���� b.��� � For the purpose of this subsection,
service as an unpaid firefighter in any fire district with a volunteer fire
department or wherein there shall exist one or more incorporated volunteer fire
companies affording fire protection to the fire district, or service as an
unpaid firefighter for a fire department, unit, or company of or in this State
or a political subdivision of this State, shall be a pre-existing condition.

���� c.���� Notwithstanding the provisions of any
other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, beginning January 1, 2025 and
for each plan year thereafter, physicians who participate in the State Health
Benefits Program network shall offer cancer screening examinations to volunteer
firefighters consistent with the requirement of subsection a. of this section.�
Such physicians or other providers shall be eligible for payment from the State
for the cost of providing such examinations upon proof satisfactory to the Department
of the Treasury; provided, however, at no time shall the cost being remitted to
the physician or other provider by the State for the full examination required
under subsection a. of this section exceed $1,250 in the aggregate per
three-year period for each firefighter.

���� No co-payment, deductible, coinsurance, or
out-of-pocket expense shall be required for such examinations.

���� d.� Any fire district of this State, or a fire
department, unit, or company of or in this State or a political subdivision of
this State, that relies on services from volunteer firefighters shall maintain
adequate records to facilitate the payment authorized pursuant to this
section.�

���� e.� There shall be an appropriation from the
State General Fund in each annual appropriations act of such funds as necessary
for the purposes of this section.

���� 2.� This act shall take effect
immediately.