HERO Act Guarantees Survivor Benefits for Fallen First Responders

The Montgomery County Council unanimously passed the HERO Act, introduced by Councilmember Evan Glass following the January line-of-duty death of Master Firefighter Christopher Higgins. The law closes a gap in county code that had delayed monthly pension payments to surviving spouses of firefighters and police officers. Further legislative work is planned to extend protections to correctional officers and Sheriff's deputies.