TO EXPAND HEALTH BENEFIT COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN FIREFIGHTER RETIREES OF MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES.

HB 1313 expands health benefit coverage in Arkansas to include certain retired firefighters who meet specific service requirements (e.g., 28 years of service or age 55+ with 20 years) and are not enrolled in Medicare. It requires municipalities and counties to offer health plans to eligible firefighter retirees during a 60-day enrollment window after retirement, without additional fees or surcharges. Dependents of retired firefighters would retain coverage after the retiree’s death, mirroring existing provisions for police officer retirees. The bill directly affects qualifying retired firefighters and their families in municipal and county fire departments across Arkansas.