S.Amdt. 3173

SA 3173, submitted by Ms. Klobuchar, aims to add a section titled HONORING OUR FALLEN HEROES to bill S. 2296. The primary purpose of this amendment is to establish a presumption that certain cancers are personal injuries sustained in the line of duty for public safety officers.

Key Changes and Additions:

• Presumption of Line of Duty Injury: It establishes that exposure to a carcinogen is presumed to be a line of duty injury resulting in death or permanent and total disability if:

  • The exposure happened during line of duty action or activity.
  • The officer served for at least 5 years before being diagnosed.
  • The diagnosis occurred within 15 years of the officer's last date of active service.
  • The cancer directly results in death or permanent and total disability.

• Defined Cancers: The amendment lists 21 specific types of cancer (such as bladder, brain, breast, and lung cancer), as well as any cancer considered a WTC-related health condition, as exposure-related cancers.

• Updates and Petitions: The Director of the Bureau must review the cancer list at least every 3 years and can update it based on medical evidence. Additionally, any person can petition the Director to add a new form of cancer to the list.

• Confidentiality and Technicals: It updates the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 regarding the confidentiality of information furnished to the Office of Justice Programs and provides technical updates to the Safeguarding America's First Responders Act of 2020.

• Applicability: These changes apply to claims based on deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2020, or disability claims filed on or after January 1, 2020. Individuals have 3 years from the date of enactment to file claims based on these amendments.