H3188

Fire department reimbursement for firefighter training costs if the firefighter is hired by another department within two years.

This bill amends South Carolina law to establish procedures for reimbursing fire departments for the cost of training firefighters. If a firefighter completes mandatory training and is hired by another fire department within two years, the initial department may seek reimbursement. Reimbursement is 100% if the hire occurs within one year, and 50% if it occurs between one and two years. The bill prohibits employers from requiring firefighters to repay training costs and limits reimbursement to 100% of the combined cost of the firefighter's salary and other training expenses.