COLONIAL HEIGHTS–Delegate Mike Cherry (R-Colonial Heights) today introduced two bills in support of local and state 9-1-1 dispatchers for consideration during the 2027 General Assembly Session. House Bill 1532 and House Bill 1533 will make state and local dispatchers, respectively, eligible for enhanced retirement benefits.
“Our dispatchers are the first people to help in a crisis,” Cherry said. “They are patient voices on the phone, ready to assist whomever is in need of assistance. Their responsibilities extend far more than sending out police, ambulance, or firetrucks. Dispatchers are, in every sense of the word, first responders.”
Designed to provide a local option, House Bill 1533 will give local governments the ability to offer enhanced retirement benefits to their city or county’s dispatchers. The local option, as opposed to a requirement, is in line with Cherry’s long held position to oppose unfunded mandates on local government. House Bill 1532 aims to offer enhanced retirement benefits for state dispatchers including those employed by Virginia State Police and Capitol Police. Both pieces of legislation have a delayed effective date of July 2028 to enable VRS to make necessary system changes.
Delegate Cherry has sponsored 9-1-1 dispatcher legislation every year since joining the House of Delegates for the 2022 General Assembly Session. He continues to prioritize public safety, working to fulfill a key campaign promise he made. For his work supporting dispatchers, Cherry was named “Freshman Legislator of the Year” by the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters in 2022.
“The General Assembly has thoroughly debated this policy issue, and there appears to be clear bipartisan support to extend these benefits,” added Cherry. “The Commonwealth has ample funding and must work to finally pass these important pieces of legislation.”
Additional legislation sponsored by Delegate Cherry will be available online at lis.virginia.gov in due course.
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