HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 119 & 120 - This act modifies provisions relating to first responders. FEES TO HIGHWAY PATROL (Section 43.253)
This act provides that a minimum fee of $6 may be charged by the Missouri State Highway Patrol for any request where there are allowable fees of less than $6. Such $6 fee shall be in place of any allowable fee of less than $6.
The Superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol may increase the minimum fee by not more than $1 every other year following August 28, 2024. The minimum fee shall not exceed $10.
This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SB 186 (2023), the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/SB 28 (2023), and SS/SCS/HCS/HB 301 (2023) and substantially similar to SB 761 (2022), SB 429 (2021), and HB 2083 (2022).
JURISDICTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES (Section 44.087)
This act provides that the chief law enforcement executive for any law enforcement agency may request assistance from a law enforcement agency of another jurisdiction. Additionally, this act provides that if a law enforcement officer makes an arrest or apprehension outside of his or her jurisdiction, the offender shall be delivered to the first available law enforcement officer commissioned within the jurisdiction and the arresting officer shall assist in the preparation of any affidavits stating a crime has been committed.
This provision is identical to a provision in the SCS/HCS/HB 1015 (2023).
SHERIFFS' RETIREMENT FUND (Sections 57.952, 57.961, 57.967, & 57.991)
Currently, neither the General Assembly nor the governing body of a county shall appropriate funds for deposit in the Sheriffs' Retirement Fund. This act provides that the General Assembly and the governing body of a county may appropriate funds for deposit in the Sheriffs' Retirement Fund. Additionally, the Board of the Sheriffs' Retirement System may accept gifts, donations, grants, and bequests from public or private sources for the Sheriffs' Retirement Fund.
Furthermore, this act provides that each person who is a member of the Sheriffs' Retirement System on or after January 1, 2024, shall be required to contribute five percent of his or her pay. Each county shall make the payroll deductions for member contributions from the same source of funds used for payment of compensation to the members and shall transmit such moneys to the Board for deposit in the Sheriffs' Retirement Fund. The deductions shall not reduce the member's pay for purposes of computing benefits. When paid to the Sheriffs' Retirement System, each of the contributions shall be credited to the member from whose compensation the contributions were deducted. Additionally, the contributions shall be treated as employee contributions for purposes of federal income tax purposes.
Furthermore, this act provides that a former member who is not vested may request a refund of his or her contributions, which shall be paid after 90 days from the later of the date of termination or the date of request. This act also provides that the normal annuity provided to a retired member of the Sheriffs' Retirement System shall not be less than $1,000 per month.
Currently, the benefits provided by the Sheriffs' Retirement System shall in no way affect the eligibility for retirement benefits from the Missouri Local Government Employees' Retirement System ("LAGERS") or any other local government retirement or pension system, or in any way have the effect of reducing retirement benefits in such systems, or reducing compensation or mileage reimbursement of employees. This act provides that such provision shall apply to members of the system prior to December 31, 2023. Any new member employed on or after January 1, 2024, that is a member of another state or local retirement or pension system shall cease membership in any other state or local retirement pension system, except that the member shall be entitled to benefits accrued through December 31, 2023, or the commencement of membership in the Sheriffs' Retirement System, whichever is later.
These provisions are identical to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SB 186 (2023), the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/SB 20 (2023), and the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SS/SB 75 (2023) and similar to provisions in HCS/HB 155 (2023), SCS/SB 647 (2023), HCS/HB 934 (2023), SB 1054 (2022), and HB 2681 (2022).
TELECOMMUNICATOR FIRST RESPONDERS (Sections 67.145, 70.631, 170.310, 190.091, 650.320, 650.330, and 650.340)
This act adds "telecommunicator first responder" to the definition of "first responder" in various provisions of law. Additionally, this act provides that the Department of Health and Senior Services shall offer a vaccination program to certain Missouri State Highway Patrol telecommunicators who may be exposed to infectious diseases.
Furthermore, this act provides that political subdivisions may elect to cover telecommunicator first responders as public safety personnel.
These provisions are identical to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SB 186 (2023), the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/SB 189 (2023), the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SB 28 (2023), and SCS/HS/HCS/HBs 1108 & 1181, et al (2023) and substantially similar to provisions in SCS/SB 46 (2023), HB 1676 (2022), HB 1637 (2022), HCS/HB 2381 (2022), and SCS/HB 2088, et al (2022).
EMERGENCY MEDICAL DISPATCHERS (Sections 190.100, 650.320, 650.340, & 190.134)
Under current law, emergency medical dispatchers shall complete an emergency medical dispatcher course that meets or exceeds the national curriculum of the U.S. Department of Transportation. This act modifies that training requirement and instead requires emergency medical dispatchers to complete training courses approved by the Missouri 911 Service Board. Additionally, the Service Board shall develop rules and regulations, in collaboration with the State EMS Medical Director's Advisory Committee, relating to the medical aspects of pre-arrival medical instructions.
This act makes several technical changes to the emergency medical dispatcher statutes.
These provisions are identical to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SS/SB 24 (2023), the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/HB 402 (2023), and to SB 449 (2023).
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR CITY OF ST. LOUIS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS (Section 84.344)
Under current law, law enforcement officers of St. Louis City hired after August 31, 2023, will be subject to a residency requirement.
This act changes those provisions to those hired after August 31, 2028.
These provisions are identical to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/SBs 189, et al (2023) and the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SB 186 (2023).
COMPENSATION FOR PEACE OFFICERS (Sections 84.480 & 84.510)
This act repeals provisions relating to a mandatory salary range for the Kansas City chief of police and allows the Board of Police Commissioners to establish a range for the salary by resolution.
Additionally, this act repeals provisions relating to a mandatory salary cap for Kansas City police officers as provided in the act.
These provisions are identical to the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/SBs 189, et al (2023) and the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SB 186 (2023).
SALES TAX FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES (Section 190.327)
Currently, an emergency services board operating in Jefferson County shall not have a sales tax for emergency services or for providing central dispatching for emergency services greater than one-quarter of one percent. This act repeals this provision.
This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SB 186 (2023), the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SS/SB 24 (2023), SB 608 (2023), and SS/SCS/HCS/HB 301 (2023).
WORKERS COMPENSATION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS (Section 287.067)
This act establishes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, Fifth Edition, (DSM-5) as a compensable occupational disease under workers' compensation when diagnosed in first responders, as defined in by law. A first responder shall not require a physical injury in order to be eligible for benefits, but preexisting PTSD is not compensable. The time for notice of injury or death in cases of compensable PTSD is measured from exposure to one of the qualifying stressors listed in the DSM-5 criteria, or the diagnosis of the disorder, whichever is later. Any claim for compensation for an injury shall be properly noticed to the Division of Workers' Compensation within 52 weeks after the qualifying exposure, or the diagnosis of the disorder, whichever is later.
This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SB 186 (2023) and the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/SBs 189, et al (2023) and substantially similar to a provision in SS/SCS/HCS/HB 301 (2023).
QUALIFICATIONS OF FIRE PROTECTION EMPLOYEES (Section 320.210)
Under current law, the state fire marshal appoints an assistant director and other investigators and employees with certain qualifications.
This act repeals the requirements that investigators must:
• Be at least 25 years old and have either a minimum of 5 years experience in fire risk inspection, prevention, or investigation work, or a degree in fire protection engineering;
• Be a taxpaying resident of Missouri for at least three years immediately preceding his or her appointment; and
• Possess ordinary physical strength and pass a physical and mental examination.
Finally, this act provides that a person appointed as an investigator shall be a resident of Missouri at the time of appointment and shall not accept other employment that would pose a conflict of interest while employed as a fire protection inspector or employee.
This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SB 186 (2023), SB 206 (2023), SS/SCS/HCS/HB 301 (2023), and SB 970 (2022).
CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (Section 590.192)
This act adds firefighters as eligible first responder personnel to receive services from the Critical Incident Stress Management Program of the Department of Public Safety.
This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/SBs 189, et al (2023).
MARY GRACE PRINGLE