Nebraska Passes Law Benefiting Fallen Fire Fighter Children

April 30, 2009 – Nebraska has become the 45th state to pass legislation that will waive tuition at state institutions of higher education for dependants of Nebraska’s fire fighters and law enforcement officers who make the ultimate sacrifice. After the state legislature voted in favor of the In the Line of Duty Dependent Education Act, Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman signed it into law April 22.

The Nebraska Professional Fire Fighters Association (NPFFA) has been working on various versions of the bill for eight years. This year, the NPFFA stepped up its lobbying efforts, earning the support of Senator Danielle Nantkes who became the bill’s chief sponsor.

“Senator Nantkes was unwavering in her support of this important piece of legislation and was very instrumental in its eventual passage,” says NPFFA President Dave Engler. “While we are fortunate not to experience many line-of-duty deaths in Nebraska, we are pleased that the legislature recognizes the ultimate sacrifice of first responders.”

The law allows both biological and adopted children of fire fighters and law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty to attend state colleges and universities tuition-free for up to five years. Students can only receive the benefit as full-time undergraduates.