RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE, FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS
Summary
S2846 amends Rhode Island’s law governing tuition assistance for the children and, in some cases, the spouse of police officers who are killed or disabled in the line of duty. The bill keeps the core tuition benefit in place for eligible dependents attending the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, or another state-operated college or university, but it removes the statutory definition of “totally and permanently disabled” from the section. The underlying benefit still applies to officers who are killed, die, or become totally and permanently disabled from duty-related injuries, or who die of a heart condition or hypertension-related condition while still serving.
The measure also preserves the existing eligibility rules and limits, including the requirement that a child enter the institution between ages 16 and 21 and that the tuition aid not exceed the normal time needed to complete the course of study, capped at four years. The bill takes effect upon passage and would amend the state’s general laws in Chapter 45-19, which covers relief for injured and deceased firefighters and police officers.
Impact
If enacted, S2846 would make a targeted change to Rhode Island General Laws § 45-19-4.1 by deleting the statutory definition of “totally and permanently disabled” from the tuition-benefit provision. The practical effect is to alter how disability eligibility is defined or interpreted for the state-funded tuition program for qualifying police families, while leaving the tuition benefit itself and the covered institutions unchanged. The bill affects state-funded educational benefits and the families of eligible police officers, including state police, correctional officers, and municipal police officers as defined in the statute.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded vote, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to indicate broad support or opposition. Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears to be a technical or clarifying amendment to an existing benefit program rather than a major policy expansion or reduction. The overall tone of the proposal is neutral and administrative, focused on revising statutory language within an established benefit framework.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the removal of the explicit definition of “totally and permanently disabled,” which could affect how eligibility is determined for tuition benefits and whether the change narrows, broadens, or simply clarifies access. Any disagreement would likely center on interpretation and administration of disability status for injured officers and their families, rather than on the existence of the tuition benefit itself. No specific opposing viewpoints, amendments, or recorded objections are provided in the available materials.
Adds probation officers and parole officers to the definition of "police officer" for purposes of salary payments during line of duty illness or injury.
Adds department of corrections' correctional officers to the list of public safety employees that are entitled to their full salary if they are injured and become disabled as a result of performance of their job duties.
Includes police officers to fire fighters who are unable to perform duties as a result of heart disease, stroke or hypertension to be presumed to have suffered an in-the-line-of-duty disability, unless contrary evidence is presented.
Includes police officers to fire fighters who are unable to perform duties as a result of heart disease, stroke or hypertension to be presumed to have suffered an in-the-line-of-duty disability, unless contrary evidence is presented.
Removes the definition of "totally and permanently disabled" from the general law affording college tuition paid by the state to the spouse and children of active members of the police force who are killed or disabled during duty.
Removes the definition of "totally and permanently disabled" from the general law affording college tuition paid by the state to the spouse and children of active members of the police force who are killed or disabled during duty.
Allows animal control officers in the cities and towns to lawfully take charge of and provide adequate care to any animal found abandoned or neglected or hazardously accumulated and would increase penalties for malicious injury to or killing of animals.
Allows animal control officers in the cities and towns to lawfully take charge of and provide adequate care to any animal found abandoned or neglected or hazardously accumulated and would increase penalties for malicious injury to or killing of animals.