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MD SB579

MD SB579
Counties - No-Cost Preventive Cancer Screenings for Volunteer and Retired Volunteer Firefighters


summary

Introduced
02/04/2026
In Committee
04/08/2026
Crossed Over
03/19/2026
Passed
04/09/2026
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Requiring counties in which a volunteer fire company is located to offer no-cost preventive cancer screenings in accordance with certain guidelines to volunteer firefighters volunteering and retired volunteer firefighters who volunteered with the volunteer fire company; authorizing a county to satisfy the requirement by providing a certain annual examination or applying for a certain grant; requiring the volunteer fire companies to maintain a list of volunteer firefighters and retired volunteer firefighters; etc.

AI Summary

This bill requires counties in Maryland where volunteer fire companies are located to offer free preventive cancer screenings to both active and retired volunteer firefighters, with a "retired volunteer firefighter" being defined as someone who volunteered for at least three years, was actively involved in fire suppression, and accumulated at least 50 points under a length of service award program or equivalent system. Volunteer fire companies must maintain and provide updated lists of their active and retired members to the respective counties annually and upon request. Counties can fulfill this requirement by providing a free annual examination that includes these cancer screenings, or by seeking grants to cover innovative cancer screening technologies like multi-cancer early detection blood tests. The bill also clarifies that a "volunteer fire company" includes a volunteer fire department and defines a "volunteer firefighter" as someone actively involved in fire suppression while volunteering. This legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (16)

Last Action

Passed Enrolled (on 04/09/2026)

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