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HF1163 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Hometown heroes assistance program scope clarification provision

Related bill: SF1427

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to clarify the scope of the hometown heroes assistance program in Minnesota, specifically to provide better support for firefighters. The bill amends the Minnesota Statutes to enhance the resources and assistance available to these public safety personnel.

Main Provisions

  1. Critical Illness Coverage: The Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE) will use grant funds to establish and fund a program that offers monetary support to firefighters diagnosed with critical illnesses after August 1, 2021. Firefighters must apply to receive these payments.

  2. Customized Psychotherapy Program: The initiative will develop a specialized psychotherapy program for firefighters, addressing their unique emotional trauma. This includes providing peer-to-peer support and offering up to five therapy sessions per year with mental health professionals.

  3. Additional Psychotherapy Sessions: The program will also facilitate extra therapy sessions for firefighters needing more than the initial five provided annually.

  4. Training for Firefighters: At least two hours of annual training will be provided on critical illnesses such as cancer and heart disease, emotional trauma, and suicide prevention. The training aims to inform firefighters on reducing occupational risks and promoting emotional wellness.

  5. Administrative Costs: The grant will also cover administrative and overhead costs related to carrying out these activities.

Significant Changes

  • The bill provides more comprehensive support for emotional trauma by offering specialized psychotherapy sessions and peer support.
  • It expands resources available for firefighters, focusing on occupational health risks, emotional wellness, and suicide prevention strategies.
  • There is a renewed focus on educating firefighters about the occupational hazards they face and how to mitigate these risks.

Relevant Terms

hometown heroes assistance program, Minnesota Firefighter Initiative, critical illness coverage, emotional trauma, psychotherapy, peer-to-peer support, occupational risks, suicide prevention, emotional wellness, cancer, heart disease.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 18, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toPublic Safety Finance and Policy
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionReceived from House
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 19, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
March 19, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toRules and Administration
April 01, 2025SenateFloorActionComm report: Subst. for SF on General Orders
March 19, 2025HouseFloorActionSecond reading
April 01, 2025SenateFloorActionComm report: Subst. for SF on General Orders
April 01, 2025SenateFloorActionSecond reading
April 01, 2025SenateFloorActionSecond reading
March 25, 2025HouseFloorActionHouse rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
March 25, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
March 26, 2025HouseFloorActionThird reading
March 26, 2025HouseFloorActionBill was passed

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Added provisions to establish and fund critical illness coverage for firefighters diagnosed with a critical illness."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill clarifies the scope of the hometown heroes assistance program under section 299A.477.",
      "modified": [
        "Modified the psychotherapy program by customizing it to address emotional trauma experienced by firefighters."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "299A.477",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  }
]

Sponsors