First Responder Injury/Illness Leave
MEMBERS THAT EMPLOY FIRST RESPONDERS NEED TO READ THIS!
H.B. 471 (2023) enacted a state law that requires a city and any other political subdivision to provide a firefighter, police officer, or emergency medical services employee a leave of absence for an illness or injury related to their line of duty. The leave is with “full pay” for a period “commensurate with the nature of the line of duty illness or injury,” up to at least one year. The law applies to every local government that employs first responders and – while it does not amend any workers’ compensation law – may interact with workers’ compensation benefits. The TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool has prepared a detailed FAQ on the bill and is in the process of creating a coverage that may help Members offset their required payment under the law. Please contact Scott Houston, the TML Risk Pool’s Intergovernmental Relations Manager, at [email protected] with questions.