SF3030

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to provide service line of duty death benefits to part-time, paid on-call, and volunteer firefighters in Minnesota. It aims to recognize the duties and risks taken on by these firefighters, similar to full-time firefighters, and extend the same benefits to them.

Main Provisions

• The bill amends the definition of "public safety officer" in Minnesota law to explicitly include part-time, paid on-call, and volunteer firefighters.
• These firefighters will now qualify for service line of duty death benefits when they perform certain hazardous duties.
• Tasks recognized for these benefits include non-routine, stressful, or strenuous physical activities related to firefighting, emergency motor vehicle operations, investigation of fire origins, emergency medical services, and hazardous material responses.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The amendment specifically includes part-time, paid on-call, and volunteer firefighters in the category of public safety officers eligible for service line of duty death benefits. Previously, the focus was on full-time firefighters and other emergency personnel.
• It clarifies the types of activities that qualify as hazardous duties deserving compensation upon line-of-duty death, thereby expanding the protections for these groups.

Relevant Terms

part-time firefighter, volunteer firefighter, paid on-call firefighter, public safety officer, line of duty death benefits, non-routine stressful physical activity, fire department, emergency medical services, hazardous material responder.