Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025

Presumption of Injury for Benefits: Public safety officers who are exposed to a carcinogen during their line of duty may be presumed to have sustained a personal injury, provided they meet specific service and diagnosis timelines. This helps establish a connection between their work and resulting death or permanent total disability. (Section 2(a)(1)(A)(ii))

Expanded List of Covered Cancers: The bill defines a wide range of specific cancers—such as bladder, brain, breast, and lung cancer—that are considered exposure-related, ensuring many types of cancer are covered. (Section 2(a)(1)(A)(iii))

Periodic Updates to Cancer Definitions: The Director is required to review and potentially update the list of exposure-related cancers at least once every three years to include new findings based on medical evidence. (Section 2(a)(1)(A)(3))

Public Petition Process: Any person has the ability to petition the Director to add a new form of cancer to the list of exposure-related cancers if there is medical evidence of risk. (Section 2(a)(1)(A)(3)(C))

Expanded Definition of Line of Duty: The bill expands the definition of "line of duty action" to include actions directed by an agency or actions the officer is authorized or obligated to perform. (Section 3(a))

Medical Evidence Exception: The presumption that an exposure caused a death or disability does not apply if competent medical evidence proves that the carcinogen exposure was not a substantial contributing factor. (Section s 2(a)(1)(A)(2)(B))

Strict Eligibility Requirements: To qualify for the presumption, an officer must have served at least 5 years and must be diagnosed with the cancer no more than 15 years after their last date of active service. (Section 2(a)(1)(A)(2)(ii-iii))