Bill > SB672

This bill establishes the Emergency Response Exposure Grant Fund and Program, to be managed by the Department of Fire Programs, to provide financial assistance to localities for eligible emergency responders who are exposed to a "qualifying emergency," which is defined as an incident involving an "event of unusual risk." An "event of unusual risk" is a serious emergency that impacts public safety or infrastructure, requires risk management practices, and may involve exposure to toxic materials, certain dangerous chemicals, or carcinogenic substances. The grants are intended to cover annual cancer screenings and healthcare expenses for these responders if they develop cancer due to toxic exposure from such an event, including out-of-pocket medical costs not covered by other insurance or benefits. The bill also specifically designates a 2012 Navy jet crash in Virginia Beach as a qualifying emergency and provides a six-month window for localities to apply for grants related to qualifying emergencies that occurred before July 1, 2026.

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https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB672