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HB 797

An Act amending the act of May 25, 1933 (P.L.1050, No.242), referred to as the Second Class City Firemen Relief Law, further providing for requirements of membership, for married persons and pensions to surviving spouses and for eligibility of surviving spouses.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Aerion Abney and 25 co-sponsors

HB 797 updates Pennsylvania firefighter pension rules to modernize spousal benefit eligibility and membership requirements for second-class city fire departments.

Act No. 11 of 2026
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 797

Legislative bill overview

HB 797 modifies Pennsylvania's Second Class City Firemen Relief Law, specifically updating provisions governing membership requirements, spousal benefits, and pension eligibility for surviving spouses of firefighters. The bill appears to modernize rules that have remained largely unchanged since 1933, likely addressing contemporary family structures and benefit distribution standards.

Why is this important

Firefighters and their families depend on pension systems for financial security, particularly in cases of injury or death in service. Changes to eligibility criteria and spousal benefits directly affect which families receive survivor protections and how much support they receive, making this relevant to thousands of Pennsylvania firefighters and their households across second-class cities.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of eligible spouses: The bill's updates to "surviving spouse" eligibility may clarify whether same-sex spouses, remarried spouses, or separated spouses qualify for benefits—changes that could expand or restrict access depending on implementation
  • Pension fund sustainability: Enhanced or broadened survivor benefits increase long-term liabilities for municipal pension systems, potentially requiring higher municipal contributions or tax increases
  • Retroactive application: Unclear whether these changes apply only to future firefighters or retroactively to existing members, creating fairness questions and potential financial surprises for municipalities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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