Arizona Senate bill by Sen. Livingston expands eligibility for public safety cancer insurance program

Passed bill authored by State Sen. David Livingston seeks to amend eligibility criteria for the public safety cancer insurance program, focusing on coverage for active and retired members of various public safety retirement systems, according to the Arizona State House.

It passed both chambers as of May 7, clearing the House by a vote of 57-0 and the Senate by a vote of 27-1.

The bill, introduced as HB2689 on Jan. 27, during the first regular session of the 57th Legislature, was formally listed with the short title: ‘cancer insurance; public safety; retirees’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the eligibility criteria for the Arizona public safety cancer insurance policy program, affecting active or retired members of the public safety personnel retirement system, corrections officer retirement plan, and public safety personnel defined contribution retirement plan. Qualified individuals include firefighters regularly assigned to hazardous duties, peace officers, corrections officers, and detention officers, provided their employer voluntarily participates in the program. Coverage applies only if cancer is diagnosed after joining the retirement system. Retirees can retain coverage post-retirement if they were either receiving benefits prior or diagnosed with cancer after retiring, with extended eligibility based on years of service. Coverage continuation is possible by sharing the premium cost with their retirement employer. The effective date is after Dec. 31, 2025.

In the House, 24 Democrats and 33 Republicans voted in favor, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 11 Democrats and 16 Republicans voted in favor while one Republican voted against it.

Livingston introduced the bill in the Arizona House on Jan. 27 during the first regular session of the 57th Legislature.

Livingston graduated from Arizona State University in 1988 with a BS.

Livingston, a Republican, was elected to the Arizona State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 28th House District, replacing previous state representative Kelli Butler.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Katie Hobbs on May 13.

In Arizona, the legislative process begins when a bill is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. It is then assigned to one or more committees for discussion and possible amendment. If approved by committee, the bill proceeds to floor debate and voting in both chambers. If both chambers pass the bill, it is sent to the governor, who may sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature. The Arizona Legislature convenes annually in regular session starting the second Monday in January. Lawmakers introduce hundreds of bills each session, though only a portion make it into law. You can learn more about the legislative process on the Arizona State Legislature website.