This bill amends the Police Officer, Firefighter, Correction Employee and National Guard Member Child Beneficiary Education Act, specifically updating the definitions of "firefighter," "municipality," "police officer," and "volunteer fire company." Notably, the definition of "firefighter" now includes members of rescue squads or ambulance services outside of Pennsylvania, and the definition of "police officer" has been expanded to include those employed outside the Commonwealth. The term "municipality" has been removed from the definitions, and the definition of "volunteer fire company" has been adjusted to eliminate the requirement of being located within Pennsylvania.

Additionally, the bill establishes the Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program for children of certain first responders and military personnel who are residents of Pennsylvania and were killed in the line of duty. It introduces a provision that allows for benefits to be extended to those employed outside the Commonwealth, provided they were residents for at least three years prior to their death. The bill also repeals a section regarding retroactivity to January 1, 1976, while allowing the amendments to definitions to apply retroactively to January 1, 2004, without reimbursement for tuition and fees incurred during that period.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 46 (Jan 22, 2025): P.L.980, No.129
Printer's No. 0046: P.L.980, No.129