Florida News Straight From the Source
CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis today was joined by the bill sponsors for Senate Bill 376, Senator Lauren Book and Representative Matt Willhite, and members of the fire service and law enforcement communities from across Southeast Florida and Palm Beach County to highlight the signing of SB 376, expanding mental health benefits for first responders. Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill last week in Tampa surrounded by hundreds of first responders from across the state.
CFO Jimmy Patronis today was joined by members of the fire service and law enforcement communities from across Miami-Dade County at the Firefighters Memorial Building to highlight the signing of Senate Bill 376, expanding mental health benefits for first responders. Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill last week in Tampa surrounded by hundreds of first responders from across the state. SB 376 was sponsored by Sen. Lauren Book and Rep. Matt Willhite.
CFO Jimmy Patronis today was joined by Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, Senator Kathleen Passidomo, Representative Heather Fitzenhagen, Representative Dane Eagle, Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass, Ft. Myers Fire Department Chief John Caufield and members of Ft. Myers’ fire service and law enforcement communities to highlight the signing of Senate Bill (SB) 376, expanding mental health benefits for first responders. Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill last week in Tampa surrounded by hundreds of first responders from across the state. SB 376 was sponsored by Sen. Lauren Book and Rep. Matt Willhite.
CFO Jimmy Patronis was joined today by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, Sen. Audrey Gibson, Rep. Cord Byrd, Rep. Tracie Davis, Rep. Jason Fischer, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Chief Kurt Wilson and members of the fire service and law enforcement communities to highlight the signing of Senate Bill 376, expanding mental health benefits for first responders. Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill this week in Tampa surrounded by hundreds of first responders from across the state. SB 376 was sponsored by Sen. Lauren Book and Rep. Matt Willhite.
Governor Rick Scott today signed SB 376, a bill expanding PTSD benefits for first responders at the Tampa Firefighter Museum. The Governor was joined by Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Congressman Gus Billarakis, Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran, Senate President Designate Bill Galvano, Senator Lauren Book, Senator Dana Young, Senator Kathleen Passidomo, Senator Doug Broxson, Senator George Gainer, Senator Debbie Mayfield, Representative Matt Willhite, Representative Jim Boyd, Representative Shawn Harrison, Representative Jamie Grant, Representative Chris Sprowls, Representative Wengay Newton, and Representative Jackie Toledo.
Tomorrow, March 27th, Governor Rick Scott will sign a bill expanding PTSD benefits for first responders at the Tampa Firefighter Museum. The Governor will be joined by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.
WHAT: Bill Signing
WHEN: 2:00 PM
WHERE: Tampa Firefighter Museum
720 Zack Street
Tampa, FL 33602
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.
