"Assistance to Firefighters' Families Act"; doubles pension amounts for beneficiaries of certain deceased volunteer emergency service providers; provides for burial expenses and adjusts life insurance coverage for volunteer firefighters; permits fire code inspection surcharge.
Impact
The bill's amendments will impact New Jersey's statutes related to survivor pensions and the insurance benefits provided to volunteer emergency service workers and their families. It raises the maximum coverage for group life insurance from $25,000 to $250,000, allowing municipalities to offer more substantial financial support to the families of volunteer emergency workers. Furthermore, the legislation permits municipalities to establish a surcharge on fire code inspections to help cover these increased costs, effectively enabling local agencies to sustain these benefits without solely relying on state funding.
Summary
Senate Bill S918, known as the 'Assistance to Firefighters' Families Act,' proposes significant enhancements to the benefits afforded to the families of volunteer emergency service providers, including firefighters and emergency medical technicians who die in the line of duty. This legislation aims to double the survivor pension amounts from $15,000 to $30,000 annually for the surviving spouses and children of these individuals. Additionally, it introduces provisions for covering reasonable burial and funeral expenses that are not already covered by existing relief associations, thus providing greater support to grieving families.
Contention
While the bill aims to provide crucial support for the families of volunteer emergency service workers, it may also raise challenges regarding the financial implications for municipalities tasked with implementing these benefit increases. Concerns could arise about the sustainability of the surcharge mechanism and whether it could place undue financial burdens on community resources and budget allocations. There may be debate surrounding the adequacy of funding structures and the potential worldviews on prioritization of financial support in volunteer emergency services compared to other public service sectors.
Same As
"Assistance to Firefighters' Families Act"; doubles pension amounts for beneficiaries of certain deceased volunteer emergency service providers; provides for burial expenses and adjusts life insurance coverage for volunteer firefighters; permits fire code inspection surcharge.
"Assistance to Firefighters' Families Act"; doubles pension amounts for beneficiaries of certain deceased volunteer emergency service providers; provides for burial expenses and adjusts life insurance coverage for volunteer firefighters; permits fire code inspection surcharge.
"Assistance to Firefighters' Families Act"; doubles pension amounts for beneficiaries of certain deceased volunteer emergency service providers; provides for burial expenses and adjusts life insurance coverage for volunteer firefighters; permits fire code inspection surcharge.
"Assistance to Firefighters' Families Act"; doubles pension amounts for beneficiaries of certain deceased volunteer emergency service providers; provides for burial expenses and adjusts life insurance coverage for volunteer firefighters; permits fire code inspection surcharge.
Relating to distribution of certain taxes and surcharges to benefit volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments and emergency medical services providers.
Provides cancer screening and treatment for retired volunteer firefighters; defines retired volunteer firefighters; retroactively applies to retired volunteer firefighters.
Permits inclusion of volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders within municipal eligible employee group for purposes of the small employer health benefits plan statutes.
Permits inclusion of volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders within municipal eligible employee group for purposes of the small employer health benefits plan statutes.
Extends pension eligibility for survivors of certain emergency services volunteers who contracted COVID-19 during 2020 public health emergency declared by Governor.
Extends pension eligibility for survivors of certain emergency services volunteers who contracted COVID-19 during 2020 public health emergency declared by Governor.
Permits inclusion of volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders within municipal eligible employee group for purposes of the small employer health benefits plan statutes.
Prohibits sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firefighting foam containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; requires DEP to establish collection and disposal program; appropriates $250,000.
Prohibits sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firefighting foam containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; requires DEP to establish collection and disposal program; appropriates $250,000.
Prohibits sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firefighting foam containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; requires DEP to establish collection and disposal program; appropriates $250,000.