House Bill No. 6973 proposes amendments to section 7-464 of the general statutes concerning health insurance premiums for active members of volunteer fire departments and ambulance services. The bill allows municipalities to negotiate a percentage of the health insurance premium that these volunteers would pay, rather than mandating that they cover 100% of the premium and any additional costs. This change aims to make it more feasible for volunteers to participate in the municipality's employee group insurance plan, provided they elect coverage and meet the active status requirements set by the municipality.

The bill will take effect on October 1, 2025, and applies to any town, city, or borough that offers group life, health, accident, and hospital plan benefits to its employees. The potential fiscal impact on municipalities is noted, as they may incur costs associated with the negotiated percentage of health premiums for volunteers who choose to enroll in the insurance plan. The ongoing financial implications are expected to continue into the future, subject to inflation.