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Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont expands workers' compensation cancer coverage for firefighters and removes age limit
Last action · January 21, 2026: Rep. Mihaly of Calais moved that the Committee on General and Housing be relieved of the bill and that the same be committed to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development , which was agreed toSponsors: Christopher Taylor and 4 others
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What This Bill Would Do
Vermont bill H.661 adds cancers of the larynx, pharynx, and trachea to the list of presumptive line-of-duty cancers for firefighters and removes the requirement that a firefighter be under 65 years of age to qualify. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Changes eligibility standards for disability and death benefits under workers' compensation for career and volunteer firefighters diagnosed with specific cancers, removing the prior age cap of 65 and adding three new cancer types.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
firefighters
Firefighters gain broader eligibility for workers' compensation benefits due to the removal of the age cap and the addition of new qualifying cancer types.
fire departments
Fire departments receive recommendations to maintain incident report records for at least 10 years and to offer annual cancer screenings to all employed and volunteer firefighters.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What new cancers are added to the workers' compensation coverage for firefighters?
Is there still an age limit for firefighters to claim workers' compensation for cancer?
Are firefighters who use tobacco products eligible for the presumption?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- Jan 21, 2026HouseCommitteeRep. Mihaly of Calais moved that the Committee on General and Housing be relieved of the bill and that the same be committed to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development , which was agreed to
- Jan 14, 2026HouseIntroducedRead first time and referred to the Committee on General and Housing
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy25Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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