STATEHOUSE (Feb. 24, 2016) – The Senate passed State Rep. Bob Morris’ (R-Fort Wayne) bill to increase the hiring age for veterans applying to be public safety officers.
Under current law, veterans and military personnel are able to retire or discharge after they serve 20 years. If a member were to join at the lowest age possible, 18 years old, they would be able to retire at 38 years old. However, the maximum hiring age for firefighters and police officers is 36 years old in Indiana.
Morris said we should embrace men and women who are trained and have extensive military experience to reenter the workforce and continue serving our community after they have retired from the armed services.
“A veteran who chose to serve until they were able to retire or be discharged should be able to become a public safety officer regardless of their age,” Morris said. “If enacted, House Bill 1359 would raise the maximum hiring age from 36 to 40 and a half years old.”
House Bill (HB) 1359 would allow veterans to apply to become police officers and firefighters after they finish their careers in the military. This legislation would still require veterans to pass certain requirements, such as a physical agility test and an aptitude test, in order to be eligible for the position.
Visit www.iga.in.gov for more information about this legislation.
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Rep. Morris (R-Fort Wayne) represents portions of Allen County
