HB 24-1219 CO

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Became Law

The act makes 2 principal changes to current firefighter benefit programs. First, the act expands state funding for the firefighter heart and circulatory malfunction benefits program to include part-time and volunteer firefighters. Second, the act provides state funding for the firefighter cancer benefits program for eligible firefighters. The act requires an employer of a covered individual to provide access to specified heart and circulatory malfunction benefits to part-time and volunteer firefighters in addition to full-time firefighters and the employer is reimbursed by the state for providing the benefits. The requirement that an employer provide these benefits becomes voluntary if funding is insufficient. The act requires an employer of an eligible firefighter to participate in a cancer trust for firefighter benefits, but specifies that if funding to reimburse the employer is insufficient, participation in the trust becomes optional. The act also requires an employer to participate in a funded trust to provide cardiovascular screenings, at a minimum, and other health screenings and prevention, as practicable, to peace officers. The trust is reimbursed by the state for providing the benefits, and if funding to reimburse the trust is insufficient, then the requirement for employers to provide the specified program is optional. The general assembly is required to appropriate money from the general fund to the department of local affairs to reduce employer contributions for volunteer and part-time firefighters in the following amounts: $300,000 for state fiscal year 2024-25; 500,000 for state fiscal year 2025-26; 650,000 for state fiscal year 2026-27; and $1,000,000 for state fiscal year 2027-28. In addition, on July 1, 2028, the state treasurer is required to transfer $2,500,000 from the general fund to the firefighter benefits cash fund and to transfer sufficient funds, subject to annual appropriation, on each July 1 thereafter, to reimburse employers for the direct costs of providing the benefits for volunteer and part-time firefighters under the firefighter heart and circulatory malfunction benefits program. The general assembly is required to appropriate money from the general fund to the division of criminal justice in the department of public safety for reimbursing a multiple employer health trust for providing cardiovascular screenings for peace officers in the following amounts: $200,000 for state fiscal year 2024-25; 250,000 for state fiscal year 2025-26; 350,000 for state fiscal year 2026-27; $500,000 for state fiscal year 2027-28; and $1,000,000 for state fiscal year 2028-29. For state fiscal year 2024-25, the act appropriates $300,000 from the general fund to the department of local affairs for use by the division of local government for firefighter heart and circulatory malfunction benefits and $200,000 from the general fund to the department of public safety for use by the division of criminal justice for cardiovascular screenings for peace officers. APPROVED by Governor May 29, 2024 EFFECTIVE May 29, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

• Julie McCluskie Democratic · primary
• Mike Lynch · primary
• Byron Pelton Republican · primary
• Kyle Mullica Democratic · primary

1. May 29, 2024 Governor Signed · executive
2. May 28, 2024 Sent to the Governor · executive
3. May 28, 2024 Signed by the President of the Senate · upper
4. May 28, 2024 Signed by the Speaker of the House · lower
5. May 8, 2024 Senate Considered House Adherence - Result was to Recede · upper
6. May 8, 2024 House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Adhere · lower
7. May 8, 2024 Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments · upper
8. May 7, 2024 Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Floor · upper
9. May 7, 2024 Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole · upper
10. May 6, 2024 Senate Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to Appropriations · upper
11. May 5, 2024 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Finance · upper
12. May 4, 2024 House Third Reading Passed with Amendments - Floor · lower
13. May 3, 2024 House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor · lower
14. May 3, 2024 House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole · lower
15. Mar 11, 2024 House Committee on Finance Refer Amended to Appropriations · lower
16. Feb 7, 2024 Introduced In House - Assigned to Finance · lower