HF 1354

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/23/2015 03:57pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; requiring active firefighter deaths to be reported to the
state fire marshal; providing continued health insurance coverage to families of
noncareer firefighters who die in the line of duty; amending Minnesota Statutes
2014, section 299A.465, subdivision 5, by adding a subdivision; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 299F.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 299A.465, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Volunteer firefighter killed in line of duty. new text end

new text begin (a) This subdivision
applies when a volunteer firefighter is killed while on duty and discharging the volunteer
firefighter's duties as a volunteer firefighter.
new text end

new text begin (b) The municipality or municipalities that operate the fire department that the
volunteer firefighter serves with shall provide health insurance coverage through the
applicable municipal group health plan to the volunteer firefighter's dependents, including
the volunteer firefighter's spouse.
new text end

new text begin (c) The municipality or municipalities that operate the fire department that the
volunteer firefighter serves with shall pay the same level of contribution to cover the
volunteer firefighter's dependents as is required for a firefighter under subdivision 2,
paragraph (c). Coverage must continue for a dependent of the volunteer firefighter for the
period of time that the person is a dependent up to the age of 65.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 299A.465, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Definition.

For purposes of this section:

(a) "Peace officer" or "officer" has the meaning given in section 626.84, subdivision
1, paragraph (c).

(b) "Dependent" means a person who meets the definition of dependent in section
62L.02, subdivision 11, at the time of the officer's or firefighter's injury or death. A person
is not a dependent for purposes of this section during the period of time the person is
covered under another group health plan.

(c) "Firefighter" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 424.03,
but does not include volunteer firefighters.

new text begin (d) "Volunteer firefighter" has the meaning given in section 299N.03, subdivision 7.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Fire department" has the meaning given in section 299N.03, subdivision 4.
new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [299F.037] REPORTING FIREFIGHTER DEATHS.
new text end

new text begin Whenever an active firefighter dies, whether or not the death is presumed to be in the
line of duty, the fire chief of the deceased firefighter must report, without undue delay,
the death to the state fire marshal. The notification shall identify the cause of death and
contain information concerning the circumstances of the death.
new text end