Bill extending partial disability benefits to first responders statewide takes effect – WV MetroNews

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A bill passed during this year’s regular legislative session that extends partial disability benefits to the members of the West Virginia Municipal Police Officers and Firefighters Retirement System took effect Thursday.

Lead sponsor Del. Geno Chiarelli, R-Monongalia, said the measure is a small show of appreciation for the sacrifices made daily to ensure the safety of residents.

“It just makes sense to support firefighters and police officers; this way, we have retention issues in this field of work as we know,” Chiarelli said. “They’re doing an incredible job, and the least we can do is try to support them.”

The law provides partial disability which equals 45% of the first responder’s average full monthly compensation for the 12-month period contributed to the plan prior to the disability.

“We initially asked for complete disability pay,” Chiarelli said. “However, after this bill made it through both finance committees, this was the compromise we achieved to get it through.”

The new law significantly changes the compensation system, giving an injured first responder more options while recovering from an injury.

“If a medical professional said you were able to bag groceries or work the door at Walmart, then you couldn’t collect your disability,” Chiarelli said. “That disability prior to this bill wasn’t contingent on whether or not you actually did get that employment; it only mattered if it was determined you could.”

The bill passed during the same year it was introduced which can be unusual, Chiarelli said.

“As you know, some bills need to be nursed and babysat all the way through the process, and this bill took off; it had its own legs,” Chiarelli said. “I’m very happy with it. I’m grateful for both the House and Senate finance chairmen and the governor for signing it,” Chiarelli said.