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Committee Hears Proposal to Include Stepchildren in Line-of-Duty Tuition Waiver (LB 335)
Summary
Sen. Danielle Conrad's LB 335 would expand Nebraska's line-of-duty tuition waiver to cover stepchildren of first responders killed in the line of duty; firefighter groups and volunteers testified that the change is a small, equitable clarification to benefit blended families.
The Education Committee heard testimony on LB 335, a proposal to expand eligibility under Nebraska's Line of Duty Education Act so that stepchildren of first responders who die in the line of duty would qualify for tuition-and-fee waivers.
Sen. Danielle Conrad said the 2009 law provided tuition waivers to children and adopted children of first responders killed in the line of duty; LB 335 would add stepchildren to reflect modern family structures and keep the program fiscally neutral.
Gary Bruns, president of the Nebraska Professional Firefighters Association, supported the bill and said stepchildren are "integral parts of our families" and deserve the same benefits after a loss. "Denying step children access to these vital benefits creates an equitable system that can significantly hinder their educational pursuits," Bruns told the committee.
Michael Dwyer, a 41-year volunteer firefighter and member of a line-of-duty response team, described real-world instances in which some children in blended families qualify for waivers while stepchildren do not. "This matches the federal guidelines," Dwyer said, noting he had reached out to federal offices for comparative guidance.
Proponents told the committee the change is a modest statutory tweak that would extend benefits to more families without triggering a fiscal note. The committee recorded four proponents and no opponents during the hearing; no formal vote was conducted.
Next steps: LB 335 remains in committee for further consideration.
