This bill amends various sections of Minnesota Statutes to expand the eligibility of the public employees defined contribution plan and firefighters relief associations to include emergency medical providers. Specifically, it modifies the definition of eligible participants to include emergency medical providers, as defined in the newly added subdivision 13 of section 424A.001. The bill also requires that bylaws of relief associations be amended to incorporate these changes by January 1, 2027. Additionally, it allows volunteer or paid on-call firefighters and emergency medical providers to participate in both the defined contribution plan and the retirement plan of a relief association.

Key amendments include the addition of emergency medical providers to the list of eligible participants in the public employees defined contribution plan, as well as the requirement for relief associations to recognize all active service of emergency medical providers for vesting and benefit accrual purposes. The bill also specifies that service credit for emergency medical providers must be certified by the fire chief and outlines the conditions under which this certification must occur. Overall, the bill aims to enhance retirement benefits for emergency medical providers, aligning their eligibility with that of firefighters.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 353D.03, 424A.001, 424A.003, 424A.01, 424A.02