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SB 282 - Under current law, survivors of a deceased law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, air ambulance pilot, air ambulance registered professional nurse, or firefighter who is killed in the line of duty are eligible to receive $25,000 in compensation. Under this act, such compensation shall be awarded as follows: • If there are no children, the surviving spouse shall be awarded compensation; • If there is at least one eligible child and a surviving spouse, the child shall receive 50% and the surviving spouse shall receive 50%, provided that if there are multiple children, the children shall receive equal shares of 50% of the compensation; • If there is no surviving spouse, any eligible surviving children shall receive equal shares of the compensation; • If there is no surviving spouse or qualified surviving child, compensation shall be awarded to the individual who has been designated by the deceased in the most recent designation of beneficiary that is on file with the public safety organization; provided that if there is no such designation, compensation shall be awarded to the individual designated as beneficiary under the most recently executed life insurance policy of the deceased; • If there is no beneficiary of a life insurance policy of the deceased, compensation shall be awarded to the surviving parent or parents, in equal shares; • If there are no surviving parents of the deceased, compensation shall be awarded to the children of the deceased who are over 18 years of age, in equal shares. The term "child" is defined in the act to include any natural, illegitimate, adopted, or posthumous child of the deceased who, at the time of the death of the deceased is: • Under the age of 18; • Over the age 18, but is a student as defined under federal law; or • Over the age of 18, but is incapable of self-support because of physical or mental disability. This act is substantially similar to HB 426 (2017) and similar in concept to HB 33 (2015). SCOTT SVAGERA
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