12 Aug Cancer News You Need: Updates to State Laws on Paid Leave, Medical Debt, Cancer Screenings, and More
August 12, 2025 ~ This blog shares recent changes to state laws that may impact people in the cancer community. These updates include new state laws about health care, paid leave, insurance protections, and more.
What’s Happening in Your State?
Alaska: New Paid Sick Leave Law
Alaska voters passed Ballot Measure 1, which means employers must now offer paid sick leave. So workers will earn 1 hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked. You can use this time if you are sick, caring for a loved one, or facing issues related to violence or assault.
Connecticut: More Access to Biomarker Testing
Connecticut now requires more health insurance plans to cover biomarker testing. This includes both private and public insurance plans. This law builds on a past rule that already required coverage through Connecticut’s Medicaid program.
Delaware: Medical Aid in Dying Law
Delaware is now the 11th state to allow medical aid in dying for people with a terminal illness. This law goes into effect on January 1, 2026.
Changes in Maryland
- Insurance Discrimination Protection: Starting October 1, 2025, life and disability insurance companies in Maryland cannot deny coverage or charge more if someone chooses not to share their genetic information.
- Ban on Copay Accumulators: Beginning January 1, 2026, insurance plans cannot use co-pay accumulator programs. These programs previously kept co-pay assistance from counting toward your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.
Updates in Other States
Missouri: Paid Sick Leave Repealed
Missouri has rolled back a voter-approved sick leave law. Therefore, starting August 28, 2025, employers are no longer required to offer paid sick leave due to HB 567.
Nebraska: Limits on Sick Leave Law
Nebraska scaled back its sick leave law. Starting October 1, 2025:
- The law does not cover workers ages 14–15, temporary workers, or seasonal farmworkers.
- Businesses with 10 or fewer workers are exempt.
- Employees can’t sue their employer for punishment related to using sick leave.
Read more in LB 415.
Oklahoma: No-Cost Cancer Screenings
Two new laws begin November 1, 2025:
- HB 1389: Insurance must cover breast imaging with no out-of-pocket costs.
- SB 109: Multi-gene panel testing and certain screenings for inherited conditions will also be covered at no cost.
Tennessee: Civil Rights Complaints Change
As of July 1, 2025, civil rights complaints must go to the Civil Rights Enforcement Division under the State Attorney General. This replaces the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. See BH 0910/SB 0861.
Vermont: Expanded Family Leave
Vermont’s unpaid family and medical leave now includes time off for:
- Bereavement
- Safe leave (for safety-related reasons)
- Military family needs
The law also includes nontraditional family members. See H.461 for details.
Virginia: Help with Medical Debt
Starting July 1, 2026, Virginia will:
- Limit interest and late fees on medical debt to 3% per year (after 90 days).
- Stop extreme debt collection methods, i.e. wage garnishment or home foreclosure.
Read the full Virginia Medical Debt Protection Act.
Washington: Sick Leave for Immigration Needs
Starting July 27, 2025, workers can use paid sick leave for immigration-related needs—specifically, for themselves or family members. This includes preparing for or attending immigration proceedings. See HB 1875.
Other News That May Affect You
California: Health Insurance Settlement
A $228.5 million class-action settlement was proposed with Sutter Health. If you lived or worked in Northern California and had certain insurance plans between January 1, 2011, and March 8, 2021, you may qualify for money back.
- Deadline to file a claim: September 12, 2025
- Final court hearing: November 6, 2025
- Visit SutterHealthPremiumLawsuit.com for details and to submit your claim.
New Mexico: Trinity Test Radiation Compensation
Lastly, people living near the Trinity nuclear test site may soon be eligible for compensation under the expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). The U.S. Department of Justice recommends waiting for more guidance before filing a claim.
Want to Get Involved?
Triage Cancer offers free resources on policy and advocacy. You can also watch our recent webinar on how to get involved in cancer-related advocacy in your community.
About Triage Cancer
Triage Cancer is a national, nonprofit providing free education to people diagnosed with cancer, caregivers, and health care professionals on cancer-related legal and practical issues. Through events, materials, and resources, Triage Cancer is dedicated to helping people move beyond diagnosis.
We're glad you find this resource helpful! Please feel free to share it with your communities or to post a link on your organization's website. However, this content may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the express permission of Triage Cancer. Please email us at info@TriageCancer.org to request permission. © 2025 Triage Cancer