HF 3667

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/27/2020 08:20pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; establishing a program to provide payments to firefighters
with cancer or heart disease, counseling for firefighters, and firefighter training;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
299A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [299A.477] HOMETOWN HEROES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Firefighter" means a volunteer, paid on-call, part-time, or full-time firefighter serving
a general population within the boundaries of the state.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Minnesota Firefighter Initiative" means a collaborative that is established by major
fire service organizations in Minnesota, is a nonprofit organization, and is tax exempt under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program established. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of public safety shall award a grant
to the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative to administer a hometown heroes assistance program
for Minnesota firefighters. The Minnesota Firefighter Initiative shall use the grant funds:
new text end

new text begin (1) to provide a onetime critical illness monetary support payment to each firefighter
who is diagnosed with cancer or heart disease and who applies for the payment. Monetary
support shall be provided according to the requirements in subdivision 3;
new text end

new text begin (2) to develop a counseling program customized to address emotional trauma experienced
by firefighters and to offer all firefighters in the state up to five counseling sessions per year
under the customized program, provided by trained counselors;
new text end

new text begin (3) to offer firefighters with additional needs counseling services in addition to the five
counseling sessions offered to all firefighters;
new text end

new text begin (4) to develop, annually update, and annually provide to all firefighters in the state:
new text end

new text begin (i) at least two hours of training on cancer, heart disease, and emotional trauma as causes
of illness and death for firefighters;
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new text begin (ii) steps and best practices for firefighters to limit the occupational risks of cancer, heart
disease, and emotional trauma; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) ways for firefighters to address occupation-related emotional trauma and promote
emotional wellness.
new text end

new text begin The training shall be presented by firefighters who attend an additional course to prepare
them to serve as trainers; and
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new text begin (5) for administrative and overhead costs of the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative associated
with conducting the activities in clauses (1) to (4).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Critical illness monetary support program. new text end

new text begin (a) The Minnesota Firefighter
Initiative shall establish and administer a critical illness monetary support program which
shall provide a onetime support payment of up to $30,000 to each firefighter diagnosed with
cancer or heart disease. A firefighter may apply for monetary support from the program in
the form specified by the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative if the firefighter has a current
diagnosis of cancer or heart disease or was diagnosed with cancer or heart disease in the
year preceding the firefighter's application. A firefighter's application for monetary support
must include documentation from the firefighter's health care provider of the firefighter's
diagnosis of cancer or heart disease. The Minnesota Firefighter Initiative shall establish
criteria to guide disbursement of monetary support payments under this program and shall
scale the amount of monetary support provided to each firefighter according to the severity
of the firefighter's diagnosis.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of public safety may access the accounts of the critical illness
monetary support program and may conduct periodic audits of the program to ensure that
payments are being made in compliance with this section and disbursement criteria
established by the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Money from nonstate sources. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of public safety may accept
contributions from nonstate sources to supplement state appropriations for the hometown
heroes assistance program. Contributions received under this subdivision are appropriated
to the commissioner for the grant to the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative for purposes of this
section.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
public safety for a grant for the hometown heroes assistance program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 299A.477.
new text end