HB 269 -- FIREFIGHTER'S RULE

SPONSOR:  Bruns

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Judiciary by a vote of 13 to 0.

This bill changes the "firefighter's rule" by allowing
firefighters, police officers, or emergency medical personnel who
are injured in the line of duty to recover damages from the
person whose reckless, malicious, or willful act or omission
caused the injury.  The firefighter's rule provides that a
firefighter brought in contact with an emergency situation who is
injured in the line of duty may not recover against the person
whose ordinary negligence created the emergency.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill allows firefighters and
other emergency personnel to be awarded damages for injuries
sustained in the line of duty due to the recklessness,
maliciousness, or willful acts or omissions of another person.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Bruns; Missouri State
Council of Firefighter; International Association of Firefighters
#671; and Professional Firefighters of Eastern Missouri.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Amy Woods, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:18 pm