increasing the maximum benefits for first responders critically injured in the line of duty, relative to the determination of education adequacy grants and calculation of certain group II benefits within the retirement system.

HB 282 increases the maximum retirement benefits for first responders (like police, firefighters, and EMTs) critically injured in the line of duty. It adjusts how these benefits are calculated within the state retirement system by linking them to the formula used for education adequacy grants. The bill phases in these benefit increases over time, with full implementation starting January 1, 2026, and subsequent adjustments through 2034. This change directly affects eligible first responders and modifies retirement benefit calculations without altering education funding levels.