In the near future I intend to introduce legislation to close a loophole that unfairly treats surviving spouses of firefighters differently than other first responders.  
 
State law currently dictates that in cities of the second class, surviving spouses of firefighters lose eligibility to receive pension payments upon remarriage.  This restriction does not apply to the pensions of other first responders.

In 2006, the provision ending pension benefits for surviving spouses of Pittsburgh police officers upon remarriage was repealed.  Yet, the law concerning Pittsburgh firefighter pensions has not been successfully amended since 1975.  To provide pension parity for Pittsburgh’s firefighters, my legislation would repeal the remarriage provision in this law.
 
All first responders and their families deserve to receive the retirement benefit they earned while serving their communities.  Firefighters should not be denied this honor due to legislative oversight.
 
This bill will mirror a proposal sponsored by Representative Jessica Benham (House Bill 2373 of the 2023-2024 legislative session) which was approved last session in the House Local Government Committee unanimously.

Please join me in cosponsoring this fair proposal to show appreciation for the folks who protect and serve our communities and the families who support them.