H.R. 705 — To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a compensation fund for military firefighters exposed to PFAS.

This section establishes the Military Firefighters Compensation Fund (to be administered by the Secretary of Defense not later than two years after enactment) to provide compensation for disability or death, medical benefits (i.e., services, appliances, and supplies), and necessary transportation to current and former military firefighters (i.e., Armed Forces members or DoD civilians whose primary duties are fire suppression and prevention) and survivors suffering PFAS-related occupational illnesses incurred in DoD duty, including for certain contractors and subcontractors. Current and former military firefighters are presumed exposed to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, man-made chemicals often present in firefighting foams at military sites) if employed at a military installation, National Guard facility, or formerly used defense site during a period of PFAS presence, absent substantial contrary evidence; benefits commence as of the claim submission date. (Thus, for deceased firefighters, payments are made first to a surviving spouse, then equally to children (including recognized natural, step-, or adopted children), parents (including adoptive), grandchildren, or grandparents; with half to a spouse and half equally to minor children not of that spouse if applicable; survivors may file claims if the firefighter dies before filing.) The section authorizes such sums as necessary for the fund.