HB100 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve McMillan

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Rescue squads, included in definition of firefighters, Secs. 36-21-102, 36-30-1 am'd.

Summary

HB100 adds rescue squad members to the firefighter definition to extend free college tuition and survivor compensation to their eligible dependents when killed or disabled in the line of duty.

What This Bill Does

The bill would include rescue squad members in the firefighter definition for purposes of survivor benefits, including free undergraduate tuition and related costs. If a rescue squad member is killed or totally disabled in the line of duty, their dependent children under 21 and a spouse who has not remarried and enrolls within five years would receive free undergraduate tuition and prescribed costs, with the survivor compensation provisions applying as currently defined. Rescue squad members would be covered because they must be part of the Alabama Association of Rescue Squads to be included in the firefighter definition, and the act specifies an effective date after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Dependent children under 21 and spouses who are eligible under the current survivor benefit rules would receive free undergraduate tuition and expenses if a rescue squad member dies or is totally disabled in the line of duty (spouse must not have remarried and must enroll within five years).
• Rescue squad members (and the rescue squads that are part of the Alabama Association of Rescue Squads) would be included in the firefighter definition, making them eligible for the same survivor benefits as other firefighters.

Key Provisions

• Amends sections 36-21-102 to include rescue squad members within the definition of firefighter for purposes of free undergraduate tuition and costs for survivors of those killed or disabled in the line of duty.
• Amends sections 36-30-1 to include rescue squad members in the 'FIREFIGHTER' definition and to apply related survivor benefits and compensation rules to them.
• Adds that a rescue squad must be a member of the Alabama Association of Rescue Squads for its members to be included in the firefighter definition.
• Defines eligibility details for survivors: dependent children under 21 and a spouse who has not remarried and enrolls within five years of death or total disability.
• Specifies that the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Rescue Squads