Bill > HB1514

This bill creates the "Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act" to provide free college tuition for public safety personnel and their dependents. The legislation establishes a comprehensive tuition assistance program for police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and emergency medical dispatchers who have at least six years of service. Public safety personnel can receive up to 100% tuition coverage for associate or bachelor's degree programs in specified fields related to their profession, with eligibility lasting up to five years or 120 credit hours. Additionally, legal dependents of public safety personnel with at least ten years of service are also eligible for the same tuition award if they meet certain requirements. Recipients must be Missouri residents, apply for other financial aid first, and agree to continue residing in Missouri for five years after receiving the tuition award. If recipients fail to meet the residency requirement, the tuition award will be converted to a loan with interest. The bill includes provisions for prioritizing awards if funding is limited, giving preference to personnel from areas with higher crime rates and those with more years of service. The program is subject to annual appropriations and will be administered by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.

Government Affairs

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1514&year=2025&code=R