Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish a Public Safety Officer Hearing Protection Program in Minnesota. This program is designed to provide hearing protection devices to public safety officers, including firefighters, peace officers, and emergency medical service providers, to help prevent hearing loss and related injuries.

Main Provisions

• Definitions: Key terms are defined within the bill, such as the identification of public safety officers, which includes peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service providers.
• Eligibility: State and local agencies, as well as entities employing public safety officers, can apply for hearing protection products from the Commissioner of Public Safety. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
• Liability Limitation: The bill includes a limitation of liability clause, stating that entities providing the hearing protection products are not liable for any injury or death caused by defective or deficient hearing protection products provided to public safety officers.

Significant Changes

• The bill introduces a program where hearing protection devices are distributed at no cost to the eligible public safety officers by applying through a designated form.
• It includes a provision for $2,000,000 to be appropriated in the fiscal year 2026 from the general fund to support the purchase of hearing protection products directly from manufacturers for the program.

Relevant Terms

• Public Safety Officer Hearing Protection Program
• Public safety officer
• Hearing protection product
• Noise reduction rating
• Liability Limitation
• Appropriation for public safety