Subcommittee tables bill to add Fire Programs staff to Line of Duty Act amid scope and cost questions

Delegate O'Quinn introduced HB 2447 to add the state fire marshal and certain Virginia Department of Fire Programs positions who "are exposed to hazards or threats to their life as defined by their job duties" to benefits under the Line of Duty Act and VOWERS.

The patron said the change would help with recruitment and retention and described examples of fire programs personnel responding to hurricanes and major incidents. "It will help fire programs with their recruitment retention, and also to, you know, provide peace of mind," the patron said.

Committee staff and members questioned how to define the covered positions and whether a one-time exposure would place an employee permanently into a hazardous-duty class for retirement benefits. "That's problematic because, again, in valor's once you go into valor's, in theory, you're in valor's," a staff member said, noting the existing statutes base enhanced benefits on position titles.

Members said the bill needed more precise definitions and clearer fiscal estimates. A motion to "gently lay this bill on the table" was made and seconded; the committee recorded a 4–3 vote to table the measure.