AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP UNIFORM STATUTORY DEFINITIONS OF "FIRST RESPONDER" AND "ESSENTIAL WORKER".

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Aniskovich and 28 co-sponsors

Establishes a working group to define first responder and essential worker uniformly, clarifying eligibility for benefits, protections, and programs across state law.

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

#emergencymedicalresponders #firefighters #police #reports

Purpose / Intent

The bill creates a working group charged with developing uniform statutory definitions for the terms “first responder” and “essential worker.” The overall intent is to remove ambiguity and promote consistency across state statutes, policies, and programs that refer to these categories (for example: emergency response, employment protections, benefits, and eligibility for pandemic- or disaster-related programs).

Key provisions (as provided)

Establishes a working group whose explicit task is to develop uniform statutory definitions of “first responder” and “essential worker.”

Directs the working group to prepare recommended statutory language and presumably to report its findings/recommendations to the General Assembly or appropriate state officials. (The bill text was not provided, so specific membership, reporting deadlines, or administrative assignments are not listed here.)

Note: The full bill text would specify the working group’s composition (agency and stakeholder representation), meeting schedule, staff support, and a deadline for submission of a report or proposed statutory language. Those procedural specifics were not included in the supplied document.

Who is affected

Public safety personnel commonly labeled as first responders (police, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, etc.).

Workers designated as essential during emergencies (healthcare staff, utility workers, transit operators, food supply chain workers, long-term care staff, and others depending on statutory scope).

State agencies that administer laws and programs tied to those designations (labor, public health, emergency management, human services, etc.).

Employers and collective bargaining units that rely on statutory definitions for benefits, leave, deployment, or liability protections.

Potential impacts

Greater legal clarity and consistency across statutes, regulations, and state programs that reference these terms.

More predictable eligibility criteria for benefits, hazard pay, leave protections, vaccination/prioritization policies, or workers’ compensation rules tied to those categories.

Possible changes to who qualifies as a first responder or essential worker, with downstream effects on labor rights, compensation, and public health planning.

Legislative timeline / procedural history

Introduced: February 20, 2025; public hearing: Feb 27, 2025.

Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security; Joint Favorable Substitute reported March 18, 2025.

Passed both chambers with amendments (House and Senate actions April–June 2025).

Designated Special Act 25-24 (June 16, 2025).

Transmitted to Governor June 25, 2025.

Signed by Governor: July 8, 2025.

Next steps / what to watch for

Publication of the working group membership, meeting schedule, and any public hearings.

The working group’s written report and proposed statutory language — this will determine specific legal changes and implementation timelines.

Subsequent legislation (if the working group recommends statutory changes) to adopt uniform definitions into the General Statutes.

Bill