(A) As used in this section:
(1) "Cancer" includes malignant neoplasms of the following body areas and organ systems:
(a) central and peripheral nervous system;
(b) oropharyngeal;
(c) respiratory tract;
(d) gastrointestinal tract;
(e) hepatobiliary;
(f) solid organ and endocrine;
(g) genitourinary and male reproductive;
(h) GYN;
(i) skin, soft tissue, and breast; and
(j) bone and blood.
(2) "Fire department" means any organization located and based in this State that provides rescue, fire suppression, and related activities including any public or government-sponsored organizations, excluding federal agencies, engaged in rescue, fire suppression, and related activities.
(3) "Firefighter" means any person, paid or unpaid, who is a resident of this State and engages in rescue, fire suppression, or related activities, under the supervision of a fire chief or fire department in this State or who is employed by the State Commission of Forestry or a forestry district for the purpose of fire protection.
(B) There is established the "Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan" to provide a supplemental insurance policy upon a firefighter being diagnosed with cancer. The plan shall provide benefits to a firefighter only if the firefighter has served in a South Carolina fire department for at least five continuous years and been in active service within ten years of the diagnosis.
(C) The plan, upon diagnosis, must entitle an eligible firefighter to:
(1) a reimbursement of up to twelve thousand dollars annually to the firefighter for any out-of-pocket medical expenses including deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance costs incurred;
(2) a one-time benefit of twenty thousand dollars upon the firefighter's initial diagnosis; and
(3) a seventy-five thousand dollar death benefit for a firefighter who dies as a result of cancer or circumstances that arise out of the treatment of cancer. All of the benefits arising out of such death are available to the deceased firefighter's beneficiary.
(D)(1) The program must be established by and administered through the Office of the State Fire Marshal within the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. In selecting the covering insurance policy, the State Fire Marshal must utilize a competitive bidding process among private insurers that have such policies available.
(2) Additionally, the State Fire Marshal shall identify best practices to establish employer cancer prevention as it relates to personal protective equipment, decontamination, fire suppression apparatus, and fire stations.
(3) By January first of each year, the State Fire Marshal shall prepare a report detailing the activity of the program in the previous fiscal year. The report shall include, but not be limited to: all expenses and costs associated with administration of the program, all inquiries and quotes received from prospective insurers, the number of eligible firefighters who qualify for coverage, the number of claims, and the amount and type of benefits paid. The report must be delivered to the Department of Insurance, the Senate Finance Committee, and the House Ways and Means Committee.
(E) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the implementation and operation of the Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan and the benefits contained herein are contingent upon appropriate funding.
HISTORY: 2020 Act No. 168 (S.1071), Section 1, eff July 1, 2021.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 23 - Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Chapter 9 - State Fire Marshal
Section 23-9-10. State Fire Marshall; qualifications; appointment.
Section 23-9-20. Statewide jurisdiction and authority; duties; issuance of citations.
Section 23-9-30. Resident fire marshals; persons who may act under authority of State Fire Marshal.
Section 23-9-45. Fire equipment dealer licenses and permits; proof of training; fees.
Section 23-9-50. Authority to inspect buildings or premises.
Section 23-9-65. Automatic fueling clips on self-service gasoline dispensers permitted.
Section 23-9-80. Service of order or penalty assessment.
Section 23-9-90. Power to subpoena witnesses and take testimony in fire investigation; perjury.
Section 23-9-100. Report of incendiary fires to police.
Section 23-9-120. Enforcement of chapter.
Section 23-9-125. Authority of State Board of Pyrotechnic Safety.
Section 23-9-140. Expenses of forms, posters, reports and the like.
Section 23-9-157. Notice of violation.
Section 23-9-170. Interference with State Fire Marshal or his agents; injunctive relief.
Section 23-9-180. Staying emergency orders of State Fire Marshal.
Section 23-9-195. Community fireworks display license.
Section 23-9-197. Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan.
Section 23-9-210. Creation of Program; advisory committee; laboratory services.
Section 23-9-220. Duties and responsibilities.
Section 23-9-230. Powers of investigators and of program.
Section 23-9-310. Board of trustees of firemen's insurance and inspection fund.
Section 23-9-350. Enactment of ordinance providing for building and inspection code required.
Section 23-9-380. Annual certificate of existence of fire department; penalty for failure to file.
Section 23-9-410. Distribution of funds collected on insurance premiums; use of funds.
Section 23-9-450. Disbursements of funds from firemen's insurance and inspection fund; approval.
Section 23-9-460. Purposes for which funds may be expended; restrictions on use.
Section 23-9-510. Short title.
Section 23-9-520. Establishment of the South Carolina Hydrogen Permitting Program; purposes.
Section 23-9-530. Definitions.