Ohio lawmakers push to give first responders $1,000 bonus for work during pandemic

COLUMBUS, Ohio —State lawmakers are pushing new legislation to give law enforcement and first responders a one-time bonus payment for working during the pandemic.

Under the proposed bill, full-time first responders would receive $1,000 and part-time volunteer first responders will receive $500.To be eligible for the bonus, individuals must have been continuously employed from March 1, 2020, and not subject to disciplinary action.

"Our resilient first responders always answer the call to help their fellow Ohioans in need, and this was especially demonstrated during the pandemic," said State Rep. Thomas Hall, one of the 14 co-sponsors of the bill. "I am proud to cosponsor this legislation and stand in strong support of the brave men and women at the frontlines."

Eligible individuals include police officers, firefighters, state highway patrol officers, county deputy sheriffs, Bureau of Criminal Identification agents, jail officers, volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

The bill was officially introduced in the Ohio House Wednesday.