Minnesota Session Laws - 2022, Regular Session

CHAPTER 49--H.F.No. 2746

An act

relating to public safety; clarifying eligibility for participation in the Hometown Heroes Act; transferring money;

amending Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 11, article 2, section 12.

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

Section 1.

Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 11, article 2, section 12, is amended to read:

Sec. 12.

299A.477 HOMETOWN HEROES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.

new text begin (b) "Critical illness" means cardiac disease and cancer as well as other illnesses covered by a policy of insurance issued by an insurer in compliance with chapter 60A. new text end

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

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end "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.

Subd. 2.

Program established.

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:

(1) to deleted text begin provide a onetime deleted text end new text begin establish and fund new text end critical illness new text begin coverage that provides new text end monetary support deleted text begin payment deleted text end new text begin payments new text end to each firefighter who is diagnosed with deleted text begin cancer or heart disease deleted text end new text begin a critical illness on or after August 1, 2021, new text end and who applies for the payment. Monetary support shall be provided according to the requirements in subdivision 3;

(2) to develop a psychotherapy program customized to address emotional trauma experienced by firefighters and to offer all firefighters in the state up to five psychotherapy sessions per year under the customized program, provided by mental health professionals;

(3) to deleted text begin offer deleted text end new text begin coordinate new text end additional psychotherapy sessions to firefighters who need them;

(4) to develop, annually update, and annually provide to all firefighters in the state at least two hours of training on new text begin critical illnesses, such as new text end cancer deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin and new text end heart disease, and emotional trauma as causes of illness and death for firefighters; steps and best practices for firefighters to limit the occupational risks of cancer, heart disease, and emotional trauma; provide evidence-based suicide prevention strategies; and ways for firefighters to address occupation-related emotional trauma and promote emotional wellness. The training shall be presented by firefighters who attend an additional course to prepare them to serve as trainers; and

(5) for administrative and overhead costs of the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative associated with conducting the activities in clauses (1) to (4).

Subd. 3.

Critical illness monetary support program.

(a) The Minnesota Firefighter Initiative shall establish and administer a critical illness monetary support program which shall provide deleted text begin a onetime deleted text end support deleted text begin payment deleted text end new text begin payments new text end of up to $20,000 to each new text begin eligible new text end firefighter deleted text begin diagnosed with cancer or heart disease. A firefighter may apply for monetary support from the program, in a 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 deleted text end . new text begin A firefighter who is diagnosed with a critical illness on or after August 1, 2021, is eligible to apply for benefits under the monetary support program and has 12 months from the diagnosis to submit an application. new text end A firefighter's application for monetary support must include a certification from the firefighter's health care provider of the firefighter's diagnosis deleted text begin with cancer or heart disease deleted text end new text begin of an eligible critical illness new text end . 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.

(b) The commissioner of public safety may access the accounts of the critical illness monetary support program deleted text begin and may deleted text end new text begin to new text end 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.

Subd. 4.

Money from nonstate sources.

The commissioner 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.

Sec. 2.

new text begin FUND TRANSFER; HOMETOWN HEROES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of public safety shall transfer any amounts remaining in the appropriation under Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 11, article 1, section 14, subdivision 7, paragraph (k), from the Office of Justice Programs to the state fire marshal for grants to the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative to fund the hometown heroes assistance program under Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.477. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Presented to the governor April 29, 2022

Signed by the governor May 2, 2022, 1:04 p.m.