HF2817

HF2817 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Service line of duty death benefits provided for part-time, paid on-call, and volunteer firefighters.

Related bill: SF3030

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the bill is to provide line of duty death benefits to part-time, paid on-call, and volunteer firefighters. This aims to support the families of these firefighters in case of their death while performing their duties.

Main Provisions

The bill extends public safety officer status to part-time, paid on-call, and volunteer firefighters, making them eligible for certain death benefits if they die in the line of duty.
It amends the current definition of a public safety officer under Minnesota Statutes to include these categories of firefighters.
The duties covered under this amendment include engaging in firefighting activities, participating in stressful training exercises, driving emergency vehicles, investigating fires, providing emergency medical services, and responding to hazardous materials emergencies.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Previously, only full-time firefighters were explicitly included in the line of duty death benefits provisions. This amendment broadens the definition to include part-time, paid on-call, and volunteer firefighters, thus expanding the eligibility for death benefits.
The amendment clarifies that certain non-manual tasks performed by firefighters are not considered as nonroutine stressful or strenuous physical activities and are not eligible for these benefits under this definition.

Relevant Terms

Public safety officer
Line of duty death benefits
Part-time firefighter
Paid on-call firefighter
Volunteer firefighter
Firefighting duties
Hazardous material responder

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 25, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Public Safety Finance and Policy
March 31, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies the inclusion of part-time, paid on-call, and volunteer firefighters as public safety officers."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amends the definition of 'public safety officer' to include part-time, paid on-call, and volunteer firefighters under section 299A.41, subdivision 4.",
      "modified": [
        "Refines the description of activities that qualify a firefighter as a public safety officer."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "299A.41",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References the definition of a peace officer as per section 626.84, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "626.84",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References part of the statutory authority for correction officers supervising offenders in the community described in section 243.05, subdivision 6.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "243.05",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 6"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Involves the definition of corrections staff persons in the community under section 244.19, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "244.19",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Refers to the statutory definition related to corrections staff under section 401.01, subdivision 2.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "401.01",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Provides definitions for volunteer, paid on-call, part-time, and full-time firefighters as referenced in section 424A.001, subdivisions 10 to 10c.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "424A.001",
    "subdivision": "subdivisions 10 to 10c"
  }
]