S.B. 409: COMMITTEE SUMMARY - SURVIVOR TUITION ACT
Senate Bill 409 (as introduced 4-16-97)
Sponsor: Senator Joel D. Gougeon
Committee: Appropriations
Date Completed: 6-2-97
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Police Officer's and Fire Fighter's Survivor Tuition Act (Public Act 195 of 1996), by adding Michigan emergency medical workers to those whose survivors are eligible to receive tuition payments at a State institution of higher education in the event the employee is killed in the line of duty.
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FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have a minimal fiscal impact on the State's General Fund. Adding the surviving spouse or children of emergency medical workers who were killed on duty to those who are currently eligible (surviving children or spouse of police and fire fighters who were killed on duty) for tuition payments at a State institution of higher education under Public Act 195 of 1996, would sult in few, if any, new eligible persons for the program. There are approximately 30,000 licensed emergency medical care workers in the State, yet instances of such workers being killed on duty are rare. According to the Department of Consumer and Industry Services, only 20 such deaths have occurred nationwide in recent years. There are no known Michigan emergency care worker survivors who would currently be eligible for the benefits under the tuition program. Current program participants average $1,700 in tuition payments, supported by General Fund money, each year. For FY 1996-97, approximately $40,000 in General Fund money is expected to be spent on this program.
S9798\S409SA
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.