Latest news with #HouseBill282
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NH House votes to increase maximum payout to injured first responders
House Bill 282 would double the total cap the state can pay out to all injured first responders through this benefit program from $500,000 to $1 million every two years. (Photo by) The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted, 296-76, Thursday to pass a proposal to increase the maximum amount of money injured first responders can receive through the First Responder's Critical Injury Benefit. If the Senate and governor approve as well, House Bill 282 will double the total cap the state can pay out to all injured first responders through this benefit program from $500,000 to $1 million every two years. The vote goes against the wishes of the majority in the House Labor, Industrial, and Rehabilitative Services Committee, which voted, 11-9, in February to recommend that the full House reject the bill. Legislators opposed to the bill argued it was unnecessary after they heard testimony in January from Brian Ryll, president of the Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire and captain of the Portsmouth Fire Department, that the state has yet to hit this $500,000 cap. However, the Finance Committee, which also reviewed this legislation, voted unanimously, 25-0, to recommend approval in March. Ryll, despite noting that the state hasn't yet hit the current cap, was in favor of the bill because he believes the benefit will be paid out more over time as more first responders become aware of it. Legislators in favor of the bill pointed out how inherently dangerous jobs in firefighting and law enforcement are, and how injuries can require extensive medical treatment and be a financial burden on first responders' families. The First Responder's Critical Injury Benefit was created through a 2014 piece of legislation following the grisly shooting of Manchester Police Officer Daniel Doherty. The benefit's cap has never been increased before. Through the benefit, each individual injured firefighter is eligible to receive up to $125,000, and the state is currently allowed to distribute a total of $500,000 to all firefighters. This bill would double that amount. The benefit is in addition to other worker's compensation claims.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lawmakers seek to double the amount that can be paid out to injured NH first responders
If passed, House Bill 282 would increase the total cap on the First Responder's Critical Injury Benefit. (Douglas Sacha | Getty Images) A bipartisan group of legislators wants to double the amount of money the state is allowed to pay out to New Hampshire first responders who are injured in the line of duty. If passed, House Bill 282, sponsored by Belmont Republican Rep. Douglas Trottier, would increase the total cap on the First Responder's Critical Injury Benefit, which provides financial compensation to injured first responders, from $500,000 to $1 million every two years. Each individual injured first responder is eligible to receive $125,000 through this benefit. The benefit is in addition to other worker's compensation claims. The bill is co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of Republicans and Democrats. Brian Ryll, president of the Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire and captain of the Portsmouth Fire Department, attended a hearing Tuesday in Concord to testify in favor of the bill. 'Although, there's considerable evolution in firefighting policies, procedures, best practices,' he said, 'the fact remains that the dedicated firefighters that protect this state are constantly at risk for catastrophic injury, a devastating illness or death.' Ryll acknowledged that the state's payouts for this benefit have not yet hit that $500,000 limit, but he said he believes this benefit will be paid out more over time as more first responders learn about it. The cap has not been increased since the First Responder's Critical Injury Benefit was established by legislation in 2014. The benefit was created in the wake of the grisly shooting of Manchester Police Officer Daniel Doherty. Doherty was shot five times in March 2012 and suffered from physical ailments as a result of the shooting for years after, some of which were not covered by typical worker's compensation, according to news reports at the time.
