Mississippi First Responders Health and Safety Act of 2019

The Mississippi First Responders Health and Safety Act comes from a nationwide advocacy effort by law enforcement, professional firefighters, and volunteer firefighter communities. Mississippi is only one of three states that does not have a local benefits policy for occupational hazards as it relates to first responders. The Mississippi Association of Supervisors (MAS) and the Mississippi Municipal League (MML) has issued a joint letter to the Mississippi House of Representatives and the Mississippi Senate stating that we are working with the advocates of Senate Bill 2835 to make it narrower and more defined in order for counties to be able to obtain and afford the coverage for First Responders.

Please read the letter below. MAS and MML have distributed the letter to all House and Senate members and leadership. For a PDF version of the letter please click here

Local Government Concerns About Senate Bill 2835

The Mississippi Association of Supervisors (MAS) and The Mississippi Municipal League (MML) are firm supporters of Mississippi’s volunteer fighters and first responders. We respect the bravery of these unpaid volunteers and paid professionals and sympathize with their dangerous occupational hazards. MAS and MML supports the concept of providing benefits for volunteer firefighter and first responders. However, Mississippi’s county and municipal governments cannot afford to fund Senate Bill 2835 as it is currently drafted due to the excessive costs. Section 6 of Senate Bill 2835 authorizes local governments to utilize local tax dollars to pay for the insurance coverage for all first responders and Section 7 mandates that coverage be provided by local government tax dollars.

We consulted with the underwriter who put a plan together for counties and municipalities for the State of Georgia as well as other states, and he has examined Senate Bill 2835 and calculated the minimum estimated premium cost per first responder at $225.00 for the defined benefit policy. This cost is above and beyond any cost related to worker’s compensation.