CPF

CPF Measure Expands Education Benefits for Fallen Federal FFs

 

Assemblyman Jared Huffman (D - San Rafael)

Assemblyman Jared Huffman (D - San Rafael) has introduced CPF-sponsored legislation, AB 2496, to provide educational security for the families of fallen federal firefighters.

The CPF legislation would clarify existing law to insure that an eligible survivor of a fallen federal firefighter who was a resident of this state and whose regular duty assignment was to perform firefighting services in California,  is indeed eligible for the current waiver of mandatory system-wide fees or tuition at the CSU, UC and community college levels.

The hardship that the family of a firefighter who dies in the line of duty undergoes is indescribable. They are forced to deal with not only the emotional pain, but also the financial struggles that often ensue.

To help ease the burden, the survivors of California law enforcement officers and firefighters are afforded a waiver of system-wide fees and mandatory tuition at the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and California Community Colleges (CCC). However, these benefits have been denied in recent years to survivors of fallen federal firefighters, as well as survivors of firefighters who succumbed to an occupational illness.

Clarification of the law is needed to help California keep faith with the men and women who give their lives to protect our safety by ensuring that the continued application of existing survivor-related higher education benefits remains consistent with the Legislature's original intent. 

AB 2496 was approved by the Assembly Higher Education Committee by a vote of 7 to 0 on March 25th.  AB 2496 was approved 17 to 0 by the Assembly Appropriations Committee, and 75 to 1 by the entire Assembly. 

It is now in the Senate, where it has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. AB 2496 has been held.

Click the video link below to watch CPF 5th District Vice President Mike Massone testify at the Assembly Higher Education Committee hearing. 

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