SCS/SB 332 - This act creates the Line of Duty Compensation Act which provides additional workers’ compensation benefits in the amount of $15,000 for firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics who are killed in the line of duty. Coverage applies when:
• Death is caused by an accident or violence of another;
• The individual is in the active performance of his or her duties and there is a relationship between the accident or commission of the act and the performance of duty, even when off duty; the individual is traveling to or from employment; or the individual is taking a break while on duty;
• The injury is the cause of the death; and
• Death occurs within 300 weeks of the injury.
A $15,000 death benefit shall be awarded to the surviving spouse, dependent, or estates of those killed in the line of duty.
Under the act, neither employers nor workers’ compensation insurers shall have subrogation rights against compensation awarded for claims under the proposed program.
This program shall sunset in 6 years unless reauthorized.
This act is similar to SB 500 (2007), HB 551 (2007), and SB 966 (2008).
CHRIS HOGERTY