IAEP Successfully Lobbies for Passage of Bill for EMS Job Benefits

From left to right: IAEP Director Phil Petit, IAEP Representative Scott Schaub, Governor Ned Lamont, IAEP Representative Mark DeBiase, and IAEP Representative Chris Kennedy at the signing of Public Act 26-12.

The IAEP was on the scene for the passage of a public safety bill to improve recruitment and retention in the state of Connecticut. 

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont invited IAEP National Director Phil Petit and IAEP Representatives Chris Kennedy, Scott Schaub and Mark DeBiase to witness the signing of Public Act 26-12 into law. 

The law will increase benefits offered to police officers, firefighters, correction officers, National Guard, and EMS personnel in the state. This includes tuition reimbursement, mortgage assistance, healthcare coverage and tax benefits meant to bolster staffing and support for these first responders. 

“This new bill will be integral to giving our EMS professionals in Connecticut the financial and professional support they need to do their jobs successfully,” said Director Petit. “We are grateful to Governor Lamont and the Connecticut legislature for recognizing their hard work and taking real steps to keep them provided for in their jobs so they can keep providing for their patients.” 

According to a release from the Governor, the highlights of this bill include: 

• College Tuition Waivers: Waives tuition at all CSCU schools and CT State schools for state and local police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel.

• Mortgage Assistance: Requires the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to develop and administer a mortgage assistance program to assist state and local police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel purchase homes in the communities they were hired to protect. The types of assistance offered could include down payment support or any other appropriate housing subsidies.

• Municipal Tax Abatement for Surviving Domestic Partners of First Responders: Expands an optional municipal property tax abatement for the spouses of first responders who died in the line of duty to also cover domestic partners.

• Public Safety Personnel Recruitment and Retention Task Force: Establishes a task force to study recruitment and retention issues for public safety personnel.

Congratulations to Connecticut EMS providers for the passage of this incredible legislation!