House Bill 1215

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-15-403, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "FIRST RESPONDERS" TO INCLUDE COUNTY ROAD CREW EMPLOYEES UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI FIRST RESPONDERS HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 25-15-403, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-15-403. For purposes of this article, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "Cancer" means a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body or a malignant growth or tumor resulting from the division of abnormal cells. "Cancer" is limited to cancer affecting the bladder, brain, colon, liver, pancreas, skin, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive tract, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, prostate, testicles and breast.

(b) "Firefighter" means any firefighter who has ten (10) or more years of service and is employed by the State of Mississippi, or any political subdivision thereof, on a full-time duty status, and any firefighter who has ten (10) or more years of service and is registered with the State of Mississippi, or a political subdivision thereof, on a volunteer firefighting status.

(c) "Law enforcement officer" means any officer who has been certified by the Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training and has ten (10) or more years of service.

(d) "County road crew employee" means any individual who works for a county road department on a full time basis and is responsible for keeping roads and bridges cleared and open when disaster strikes.

( * * *de) "First responder" means any firefighter and law enforcement officer as defined in paragraphs (b) * * *~~and~~, (c) and (d) of this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force form and after July 1, 2024.