The proposed bill aims to expand health benefit coverage for certain firefighter retirees of municipalities and counties in Arkansas. It amends Arkansas Code 14-1-110 to include provisions for "eligible firefighter retirees," defining them as firefighters who meet specific criteria related to their employment status and retirement eligibility. The bill outlines the conditions under which these retirees can participate in health benefit plans, including the requirement that they are not eligible for Medicare enrollment and provides definitions for key terms such as "dependent" and "health benefit plan."

Additionally, the bill modifies existing language to replace references to "eligible police officer retirees" with inclusive language that encompasses both police officers and firefighters. It ensures that dependents of both eligible police officer and firefighter retirees can participate in health benefit plans, and it allows surviving spouses of deceased retirees to continue their participation. The bill also stipulates that retirees must pay premiums determined by their municipality or county and establishes guidelines for enrollment and continuation of coverage for dependents after the retiree's death.