Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding the unanimous approval of House Bill 227 today by the Florida House of Representatives Government Operations and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee.
“To those opposing this good measure, I ask ‘what is a first responder’s life worth?’ First responders show up for us and our families without hesitation. It’s unacceptable that mental health is not a benefit for our first responders. With more than 15 percent of firefighters reported having made at least one suicide attempt during their time in fire service, it’s our responsibility to make mental health benefits more accessible and affordable for our first responders. I urge the House and Senate to continue to move QUICKLY on this bill so our first responders can get the help they need.”
The next stop for HB 227, sponsored by Rep. Matt Willhite, is the House Government Accountability Committee.
