Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill, known as the Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act, aims to establish new presumptions of service connection for certain diseases among military veterans. It amends title 38, United States Code, to simplify the process for veterans to receive disability benefits for conditions linked to their firefighting service. The legislation mandates that specified diseases, when manifesting under certain conditions, be considered incurred or aggravated during active duty, even without prior service records. The bill outlines a comprehensive list of specified diseases , including heart disease, lung disease, and numerous cancers such as brain, blood, lymphatic, bladder, kidney, reproductive, digestive, colon, liver, skin, lung, and breast cancer. To be covered, a veteran must be trained in fire suppression and have served at least five years in aggregate in a military occupational specialty or career field with primary firefighting or damage control responsibilities. The disease must manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more disability and within 15 years of separation from active service to qualify for this presumption.
Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Armed Forces and National Security
Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act
USA119th CongressHR-2244| House
| Updated: 4/4/2025
This bill, known as the Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act, aims to establish new presumptions of service connection for certain diseases among military veterans. It amends title 38, United States Code, to simplify the process for veterans to receive disability benefits for conditions linked to their firefighting service. The legislation mandates that specified diseases, when manifesting under certain conditions, be considered incurred or aggravated during active duty, even without prior service records. The bill outlines a comprehensive list of specified diseases , including heart disease, lung disease, and numerous cancers such as brain, blood, lymphatic, bladder, kidney, reproductive, digestive, colon, liver, skin, lung, and breast cancer. To be covered, a veteran must be trained in fire suppression and have served at least five years in aggregate in a military occupational specialty or career field with primary firefighting or damage control responsibilities. The disease must manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more disability and within 15 years of separation from active service to qualify for this presumption.