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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
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HB 2917: firefighter cancer registry
Sponsor: Representative Marshall, LD 7
Committee on Public Safety & Law Enforcement
Overview
Directs the Department of Health Services (DHS) to establish and administer a firefighter cancer registry to analyze the incidence of cancer among firefighters in Arizona.
History
Established in 1973, DHS aims to protect the physical and mental health of Arizona citizens and promote high standards for licensed healthcare institutions, emergency services, and care facilities for adults and children. Additional responsibilities include: 1) providing technical consultation and financial assistance to local health departments or districts; 2) collecting, preserving, and interpreting all information required by law regarding vital facts, public health, births, deaths, and disease prevention; 3) conducting statewide programs of health education; 4) enforcing food and water safety standards; and 5) evaluating local public health programs and overseeing the licensure of health care institutions and professionals (A.R.S. § 36-132; Arizona State Library, DHS).
Provisions
Firefighter Cancer Registry
1. Directs DHS to establish and administer a firefighter cancer registry (registry) to collect, maintain and analyze data regarding the incidence of cancer among firefighters in Arizona. (Sec. 1)
2. Outlines the information DHS is required to collect for each firefighter included in the registry. (Sec. 1)
3. Allows DHS to collect information for the registry from any of the following sources:
a. fire departments and fire districts;
b. health care providers and health care facilities;
c. the Arizona Cancer Registry or other existing cancer surveillance systems;
d. workers' compensation insurers or administrators; and
e. firefighters or a firefighter's authorized designee, on a voluntary basis. (Sec. 1)
4. Requires firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer while employed as a firefighter in Arizona, or after separation from service, to participate in the registry. (Sec. 1)
5. Stipulates a firefighter is not required to submit medical information to DHS if the information is otherwise available through one of the specified sources. (Sec. 1)
6. Directs health care providers, health care facilities, fire departments and fire districts that obtain information regarding a firefighter's cancer diagnosis to report the information to DHS in a manner prescribed by DHS. (Sec. 1)
7. Directs fire departments and fire districts to provide employment and service-related information to DHS upon request. (Sec. 1)
Privacy
8. Requires the registry to follow all applicable state and federal confidentiality and privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. (Sec. 1)
9. Establishes that all personal identifying information collected for the registry is confidential and is not subject to public inspection or records requests. (Sec. 1)
10. Authorizes DHS to use aggregated and de-identified data from the registry for:
a. public health research;
b. statistical analysis;
c. legislative reports; and
d. the development of cancer prevention strategies and occupational exposure-reduction policies. (Sec. 1)
11. Prohibits information contained in the registry from being used to determine an individual's eligibility for workers' compensation benefits, retirement benefits or insurance coverage. (Sec. 1)
Miscellaneous
12. Requires an annual report to be submitted by DHS to specified members of the legislative and executive branches beginning December 31, 2027, with specified information. (Sec. 1)
13. Defines firefighter. (Sec. 1)
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17. Initials NM/AI HB 2917
18. 2/4/2026 Page 0 Public Safety & Law Enforcement
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