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Bill to let cities hire firefighters at 18 advances from committee
Summary
House Bill 1174 would allow cities participating in civil-service systems to lower the minimum application age for firefighters from 21 to 18; sponsors said the change expands the hiring pipeline and complements other bills on veterans' credit.
A bill giving participating cities the option to lower the minimum application age for firefighters to 18 was advanced by the Senate City, County & Local Affairs Committee on Feb. 14.
Representative Darby introduced House Bill 1174 and said the goal is to expand the hiring pool: "This bill is taking that from 21 to 18," she told the committee, noting that many 18–20-year-olds already serve in departments that are not subject to civil-service age limits. She said the bill is intended to help cities place young candidates into a pipeline so they are ready to serve once they reach the full certification age.
Committee members pressed on whether the measure conflicts with a separate bill providing military-related exceptions. Backers said the two bills are complementary and that one will address upper-age language while this bill focuses on allowing hire at 18 in civil-service jurisdictions. The sponsor closed and asked for a favorable vote; the committee passed the bill by voice vote.
