The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports a bill to give first responders and their children free college tuition as it would address both workforce and public safety concerns.
The House Emerging Issues Committee heard testimony this week on SB 71, sponsored by Sen. David Gregory (R-St. Louis County). It establishes the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act.
Under this legislation, a “first responder” is any person who is trained to give emergency medical assistance or treatment, including police officers, firefighters and paramedics.
To qualify, the first responder must pursue an associate degree or bachelor’s degree at any state college that relates to their career as a first responder. The responders and their children can receive a tuition waiver for up to five years.
“Once the first responder has reached six years of service, they qualify for this,” Gregory said. “After their 10th year of service, their dependents would qualify. The legislature would decide each year how much funding this program will get.”
“Whether you’re in a small town or big city, recruitment and retention of public safety officials is at a crisis level,” said Joe Patterson, executive director of the St. Louis County Police Association. “There are 200 less St. Louis County police officers on the streets than when I left the force in 2019. It’s a tough job, but we need people to answer the 911 calls.
“Retention is the key right now,” Patterson added. “We’ve got to keep folks on the job, and one of those ways is to give them an opportunity to further their education, as well as their family. I need to have people staying on another four or five years right now, and this bill would allow for that.”
Missouri Chamber Manager of Government Affairs Cade Tremain testified in support of SB 71. This legislation accomplishes one of the recommendations of the Missouri Chamber’s Safer Missouri, Stronger Missouri report: to take proactive steps to stabilize and grow the first responder workforce in Missouri.
“First responders dedicate their live to protecting us and our families, and this is a wonderful opportunity to invest in them and their families,” Tremain said.
The Senate has already passed SB 71 by a vote of 33-1. On the House side, lawmakers hope to combine it with companion legislation, HB 1514, sponsored by Rep. Dave Hinman (R-O’Fallon).
For more information, contact Tremain at ctremain@mochamber.com or (573) 634-3511.
