Committee expands education benefits for firefighters and spouses to cover graduate study
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Summary
HB 4 48 would allow scholarships for firefighters injured or killed in the line of duty (and their spouses) to be used for master's or other advanced degrees, preserving up to 10 semesters of benefit use.
Rep. Adams presented HB 4 48, which would allow scholarships provided to firefighters injured or killed in the line of duty — and to their spouses — to be used for graduate study, not just a bachelor's degree, for up to 10 semesters.
Chad Major of Professional Firefighters of Louisiana told the committee the change recognizes that many survivors or injured firefighters already hold four-year degrees and would benefit from access to graduate education. "Ten semesters is 10 semesters," Major said; allowing advanced degrees would let beneficiaries use existing entitlements for higher credentials.
Rep. Martinez offered an amendment to explicitly allow spouses and injured firefighters to use the benefit for advanced degrees, which the committee adopted without objection. Committee members asked about fiscal implications; members noted a fiscal estimate suggesting master's programs could range widely in cost, but witnesses said the program operates as a tuition waiver the institutions absorb.
With no objections, the committee reported HB 4 48 as amended to the House floor.
