Amends TCA Title 5, Chapter 17 and Title 8.

This bill authorizes a county legislative body to employ up to two full-time, paid firefighters to staff each volunteer fire department station within the county. To be so employed, the firefighter must be certified as a firefighter by the commission on firefighting personnel standards and education prior to employment with the county.<br /> <br /> A firefighter employed by a county legislative body pursuant to this bill will be considered a county employee for all purposes, except for the provision of health and retirement benefits. For insurance and retirement purposes, the employee will be considered a state employee. Specifically, the employee will be eligible for coverage under the group insurance plan established under present law for state employees, and this bill requires the state to pay the employer portion of any premiums under the group insurance plan. The employee will also be eligible to participate in the Tennessee consolidated retirement system, and the state will pay the entire employer contribution under TCRS.<br /> <br />