Police, firefighter benefits bills to be introduced at State House

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The House Municipal Government and Housing Committee will meet Tuesday to hear 12 bills including several related to police and firefighter benefits.

A bill introduced by Jacquelyn Baginski of Cranston would extend injured-on-duty benefits to police officers and firefighters who suffer from diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorders.

It would also provide that police officers and firefighters unable to perform duties due to post-traumatic stress injury would be entitled to an accidental disability retirement allowance.

A bill introduced by House Municipal Government and Housing Committee Chairman Stephen M. Casey of Woonsocket would allowed retired firefighters and police officers to earn income in addition to their earnable compensation.

This would be allowable so long as the amount would not exceed five times the rate of earnable compensation currently allowed.

The final bill, introduced by Rep. William W. O’Brien of North Providence would provide an annual 2.5% increase for all active and retired police and firefighter’s retirement pension allowance, compounded each year.