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H.R. 705In committee

To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a compensation fund for military firefighters exposed to PFAS.

Introduced: Jan 23, 2025

Latest action date: Jan 23, 2025

Latest development

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Your view
Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Jan 23, 2025
Recorded roll calls
0

Status detail: The most advanced recorded stage is committee consideration.

Plain-language overview

What this bill does

This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish the Military Firefighters Compensation Fund to provide compensation to current and former military firefighters, or survivors of such firefighters, for illnesses incurred in the line of duty due to exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects.

Under the bill, current and former military firefighters are presumed to have been exposed to PFAS (in the absence of substantial evidence to the contrary) if the firefighter was employed at a military installation, facility of the National Guard, or formerly used defense site during a period when PFAS would have been present at such facility.

The bill provides that in cases where a military firefighter is deceased at the time of payment of compensation, the surviving spouse must receive the payment. If there is no surviving spouse, the bill provides for the order of distribution to other surviving parties (e.g., a child or parent of the firefighter). The bill also provides that a survivor of a firefighter may file a claim for compensation if the firefighter dies before filing a claim.

DOD must furnish the services, appliances, and supplies prescribed or recommended to a military firefighter who is receiving medical benefits for an illness related to PFAS exposure. Additionally, such firefighter may be furnished necessary and reasonable transportation and expenses incident to securing care for such illness.

Civixly topics

What this legislation is about

Civixly topics make federal and state legislation comparable. They are derived from the official CRS policy area and legislative subjects.

Official CRS policy area

Armed Forces and National Security

View 6 official legislative subjects
FiresFirst responders and emergency personnelHazardous wastes and toxic substancesMilitary civil functionsMilitary medicineVeterans' pensions and compensation

Committee activity

Committees and subcommittees that received, reviewed, marked up, or reported this legislation.

Amendments

Proposed changes to this measure, with their latest official outcome or action from Congress.gov.

No amendments are listed for this measure.

Checked against Congress.gov Sep 13, 2026.

Action timeline

Newest action first. Action language comes from the official Congress.gov record.

View full action timeline3 actions
  1. Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

    IntroReferralHouse floor actions
  2. Introduced in House

    IntroReferralLibrary of Congress
  3. Introduced in House

    IntroReferralLibrary of Congress

Roll-call votes

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No connected roll-call votes are currently available for this bill.

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Sources: Congress.gov and official House and Senate vote records.

View data freshness details

Base metadata check pending · Summary check pending · Action timeline checked Sep 13, 2026 · Complete sponsorship check pending · Topics checked Sep 13, 2026 · Committees checked Sep 13, 2026 · Status checked Sep 13, 2026 · Related bills checked Sep 13, 2026.