STATEHOUSE (Jan. 23, 2018) — A bill authored by State Sen. Michael Crider (R-Greenfield) to expand survivor health coverage to families of fallen public safety officers passed the Senate today by a vote of 49 to 0.
Under current law, only the families of State Police officers and local police officers killed in the line of duty are provided with health coverage.
Senate Bill 152, however, would require the employer of any public safety officer who dies in the line of duty after June 30, 2018, to offer to provide and pay for health coverage for their surviving spouse and children, including step and adopted children, if the employer offers health coverage for active employees.
“As someone who served in law enforcement for many years, I have seen many families faced with financial burdens after their loved one was killed in the line of duty,” Crider said. “Dealing with a tragic, unexpected loss is already difficult, and this bill would provide more families with some relief by giving them the financial assistance they may need.”
Under the bill, public safety officers are considered excise officers; conservation enforcement officers; gaming agents or gaming control officers; state educational institution police officers; police officers employed by a postsecondary educational institution; firefighters employed by state universities, postsecondary institutions or airports; hospital police officers; school corporation police officers; hospital police officers; police officers employed by airports; and some park rangers.
SB 152 will now move to the House of Representatives.
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A high-resolution photo of State Sen. Michael Crider is available by clicking here.
