The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 299A.38, to expand eligibility for soft body armor reimbursement grants. It introduces new definitions, including "firefighter," which encompasses volunteer, paid on-call, part-time, or career firefighters, and "qualified emergency medical service provider," referring to individuals certified under section 144E.28 and actively employed by a licensed ambulance service. The term "public safety officer" is also defined to include peace officers, firefighters, and qualified emergency medical service providers. The bill modifies the reimbursement process, allowing public safety entities to apply for funds to purchase vests, with the reimbursement amount set at the lesser of half the vest's purchase price or $600.

Additionally, the bill removes references to "peace officers" in various sections, replacing them with "public safety" to broaden the scope of eligible recipients. It maintains the requirement that only vests meeting specific standards are eligible for reimbursement and clarifies that eligibility is limited to vests purchased after December 31, 1986. The bill also includes provisions for the commissioner of public safety to adjust reimbursement amounts annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Lastly, it ensures that the liability of state agencies and other entities is limited concerning the provision of vests, and it protects the rights of public safety officers or their heirs in the event of injury or death related to vest usage.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 299A.38