Hall Joins Effort to Offer First Responders $1,000 Bonus Award

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Thomas Hall (R-Madison Twp.) today joined State Reps. Craig S. Riedel (R-Defiance), Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost at a press conference announcing new legislation that offers law enforcement and first responders a one-time bonus award for their work during the pandemic.

“Our resilient first responders always answer the call to help their fellow Ohioans in need, and this was especially demonstrated during the pandemic,” said Hall. “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.

Under the bill, those eligible for the bonus award must have been continuously employed from March 1, 2020 and not subject to any form of disciplinary action. Full-time first responders would receive $1,000, and part-time and volunteer first responders would receive $500. Each employer is required to certify who is eligible to the Attorney General within 30 days of the bill’s effective date.

The bill currently has 14 co-sponsors and was officially introduced in the Ohio House today. 

Today’s press conference can be viewed here.