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Committee advances clarifying bill for Hometown Heroes Assistance Program to explicitly include peer support
Summary
House File 11 63 would clarify statutory language for the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (administered by MNFIRE) to explicitly add peer‑to‑peer support and change ‘provide’ to ‘make available’ training; committee placed the bill on the general register.
The committee recommended House File 11 63 be placed on the general register after Chair Joaquin explained that the bill makes technical clarifications to the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, administered by the Minnesota Firefighters Initiative (MNFIRE), and does not request new funding.
Sponsor Joaquín said the measure clarifies that the program includes peer‑to‑peer support and changes language about training from “annually provide” to “annually make available,” reflecting that some departments may decline the training. Rebecca Otto of MNFIRE described the program as statewide and said it provides physical and emotional wellness supports, training and financial assistance for firefighters diagnosed with cancer or heart disease.
Rep. Johnson, a firefighter, and other members praised the program's reach; Otto said MNFIRE has paid out more than $4 million in critical‑illness claims since the program began and had trained about 82% of departments on the critical‑illness curriculum. The committee placed the bill on the general register.
What happens next: With no additional funding requested, the bill’s statutory clarifications will move with the bill as it proceeds on the general register. MNFIRE and fire departments should coordinate on tracking peer‑support and training availability.
