Bill > HB1190

This bill establishes the "Firefighters' Procedural Bill of Rights Act" to provide comprehensive protections for firefighters during workplace investigations and disciplinary proceedings. The legislation defines a firefighter broadly to include full-time and part-time emergency personnel like EMTs and dispatchers, and outlines specific rights during interrogations, such as being interviewed at a reasonable hour, being informed of the investigation's nature, and having the right to a representative present. The bill mandates that interrogations must follow strict guidelines, including informing the firefighter of their Garrity rights (protection against self-incrimination), prohibiting coercive questioning, and ensuring the firefighter cannot be punished for exercising their rights. Additionally, the act provides protections against punitive actions without just cause, establishes a one-year time limit for most investigations, guarantees access to personnel files, prevents mandatory lie detector tests, and requires employers to provide legal defense for firefighters facing civil litigation related to their duties. The bill also includes provisions preventing employers from accessing firefighters' personal social media accounts and ensuring that any adverse comments in personnel files can be responded to by the firefighter. Importantly, the law aims to balance the need for accountability with protecting firefighters from arbitrary or unfair treatment by their employers.