AL HB186

First responders (state policemen, municipal police officers, deputy sheriffs, and state/municipal/county firefighters) who are permanently and totally unable to perform firefighter or law enforcement duties due to line-of-duty injuries would qualify for full disability retirement benefits regardless of their membership Tier (I or II) or years of creditable service

Removes the previous requirement that firefighters not covered by Social Security were the only first responders eligible for this benefit, expanding coverage to all qualifying first responders in the Retirement Systems of Alabama

Requires the employing agency to agree to make appropriate payments into the retirement system and mandates a medical board review to certify the member is incapacitated for further duty as a firefighter or law enforcement officer

Provisions apply retroactively to January 1, 2023, allowing members previously ineligible or denied benefits based on Tier/service years to apply or reapply starting July 1, 2026

Act becomes effective July 1, 2026