Congress has approved legislation that extends line-of-duty death and disability benefits to the families of public safety officers who have died or become permanently disabled in the line of duty.

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, which was included as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, expands the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program to include certain occupational cancers. The PSOB program provides one-time financial payments to the families of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders who have died or become permanently disabled in the line of duty, as well as educational benefits to the spouses and children of fallen officers.

“On behalf of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, I applaud the House and Senate for passing this important bipartisan legislation. I especially would like to thank Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Kevin Cramer, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, and Congressman Carlos Gimenez for leading this effort,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. “Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep their communities safe. By recognizing fire service–related cancers under the PSOB program, we ensure that those who risk their health for others receive the support they and their families deserve. I especially want to thank our brave Fire Hero Families who tirelessly advocated for the passage of this vital legislation. Their dedication, passion, and tenacity are why this bill will soon become law.”

The legislation will now go to the White House for President Donald Trump to sign into law.

For more information on the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program, please visit: bja.ojp.gov/program/psob.

For more information on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, please visit: www.firehero.org.