Missouri will soon cover up to the full cost of in-state college tuition and fees for emergency responders seeking certain majors. Gov. Mike Kehoe has signed a bill into law for police officers, firefighters, paramedics, 911 operators, and emergency medical technicians who are seeking their first license, associate, or bachelor’s degree.
“I think it is a great way for Missouri to separate itself from the rest of the states on how much we appreciate our first responder community and provide a really strong tangible benefit. Putting our money where our mouth is, if you will, on when we say we appreciate our first responder community,” Kehoe told Missourinet.
The new law will be for emergency responders with at least six years of service and their dependent children will be covered after at least 10 years of service. The children would be eligible to receive 100% tuition coverage if they agree to live in Missouri until they complete their degree or for five years from the date they first receive tuition assistance.
Like many states, Missouri is also struggling to recruit emergency responders.
“I think it’s going to help any area of Missouri that you have a child in or the first responder, him or herself that wants to go to school would be available. You do want to be able to recruit the men and ladies who are the heroes of our communities, who are keeping our community safe, whether it’s our children safe, our businesses safe, our streets safe,” said Kehoe.
The maximum award to attend an approved private college or university in Missouri would be equal to the total cost of tuition and fees charged to a Missouri resident at the public college or university that has the highest combined tuition and fee cost in the state.
For police officers, eligible subjects include forensic science, fisheries and wildlife, political science, psychology, history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, global studies, Spanish, journalism, advertising, public relations, nutrition and health sciences, communication sciences and disorders, and criminal justice.
For firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and 911 operators, eligible subjects include biology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, nutrition and health sciences, communication sciences and disorders, Spanish, advertising, public relations, paramedicine, fire science, fire technology, fire administration, fire management, communications, homeland security, emergency management, disaster management, and crisis management.
A separate component in the bill will create the offense of unlawfully gaining entry into a motor vehicle for lifting a door handle or testing the doors and locks in an attempt to gain access to commit a felony or steal the vehicle or contents in the vehicle. The person could be given a class A misdemeanor, unless the vehicle owner has given permission to the person to enter the vehicle.
Then if a person enters the vehicle with the intent to steal or commit a felony, they could be charged with a class D felony. The charge would be elevated to a class C felony if they commit the crime with a gun or stolen gun from the vehicle.
The legislation also includes a provision to boost the amount of money the state gives families if an officer is killed in the line of duty. The current $25,000 amount will rise to $100,000 and will be annually adjusted for inflation.
The measure is sponsored by Sen. David Gregory, R-St. Louis County, and Rep. Dave Hinman, R-O’Fallon.
For more information about Senate Bill 71, click here.
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