Utah lawmakers work to take another step in helping firefighters with cancer

Published February 19, 2026

Utah lawmakers continued efforts to support firefighters diagnosed with occupational cancer through H.B. 416, sponsored by Rep. Jordan Teuscher. The bill establishes a cancer benefit trust fund to help firefighters cover medical expenses while workers’ compensation claims are being processed.

The legislation builds on H.B. 65, passed in 2025 and sponsored by Rep. Casey Snider, which established regular cancer screenings for Utah firefighters and expanded the state’s list of presumptive occupational cancers from four to 15. The new trust fund can receive private donations, grants, and legislative appropriations and will be overseen by an 11-member board.

Lehi Fire Chief Jeremy Craft, who was diagnosed with two occupational cancers in 2023, told lawmakers the fund would allow firefighters to begin treatment quickly rather than waiting for workers’ compensation claims to be resolved. 

Read the full story at Deseret News.