HF 1077

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; clarifying conditions under
which peace officers and firefighters suffering
disabling injuries continue to receive payments for
health insurance; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004,
section 299A.465, subdivision 1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 299A.465,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Officer or firefighter disabled in line of
duty.

(a) This subdivision applies when a peace officer or
firefighter suffers a disabling injury that:

(1) results in the officer's or firefighter's retirement or
separation from service new text begin at any time after suffering the
disabling injury, even if the peace officer or firefighter works
at another position for the employer after suffering the injury
and before separating from service new text end ;

(2) occurs while the officer or firefighter is acting in
the course and scope of duties as a peace officer or
firefighter; and

(3) the officer or firefighter has been approved to receive
the officer's or firefighter's duty-related disability pension.

(b) The officer's or firefighter's employer shall continue
to provide health coverage for:

(1) the officer or firefighter; and

(2) the officer's or firefighter's dependents if the
officer or firefighter was receiving dependent coverage at the
time of the injury under the employer's group health plan.

(c) The employer is responsible for the continued payment
of the employer's contribution for coverage of the officer or
firefighter and, if applicable, the officer's or firefighter's
dependents. Coverage must continue for the officer or
firefighter and, if applicable, the officer's or firefighter's
dependents until the officer or firefighter reaches the age of
65. However, coverage for dependents does not have to be
continued after the person is no longer a dependent.

Sec. 2. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Section 1 is effective the day following final enactment.
After that date, payments must be made on behalf of a person
eligible under section 1, regardless of whether the disabling
injury occurred before or after the effective date of section 1.
new text end