s_blt_2017a_2017-03-27t13:08:19z3 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/27/2017

Location: SCR 354

03:19 PM -- SB 17-214



Senator Garcia and Senator Smallwood introduced Senate Bill 17-214 concerning a voluntary firefighter cancer benefits program. This bill allows municipalities, special districts, fire authorities, and county improvement districts that employ one or more firefighters to participate in a voluntary firefighter cancer benefits program. Participation constitutes payment of contributions into a multiple employer health trust designed to pay awards to covered individuals diagnosed with cancer or their surviving family members. The trust must establish award levels between $100 and $225,000 based on the category and stage of the cancer. The trust must also make payments to the covered individual for the actual cost, up to $25,000 for rehabilitative or vocational training employment services and educational training and for cosmetic disfigurement costs, if necessary, up to $10,000. Any benefits paid by the trust must be offset by any payments made under the Workers' Compensation Act of Colorado. Firefighters, including those who work on a part-time or volunteer basis, must meet certain criteria to be eligible for benefits under the trust. The sponsors provided amendment L.001 and L.002 (Attachments I and J)



170327 AttachI.pdf170327 AttachJ.pdf



03:23 PM -- Ann Terry, Special District Association, spoke in favor of the bill.



03:24 PM -- Don Lombardi, Colorado State Fire Chiefs, spoke in favor of the bill.



03:26 PM -- Mike Rogers, Colorado Professional Fire Fighters, spoke in favor of the bill.



03:30 PM



Senator Smallwood made closing comments on the merits of the bill and explained the purpose of the amendments.