Substitute Senate Bill No. 1239, also known as Public Act No. 25-61, seeks to enhance support for the families of first responders who are killed in the line of duty by broadening the definition of "first responder" to include emergency medical technicians, firefighters, paramedics, and police officers. The bill establishes a "Fallen Hero Fund," which will provide a lump sum death benefit of $100,000 to the surviving families of these first responders, in addition to any other benefits they may receive. This benefit is protected from reductions based on other compensation, such as workers' compensation. The bill also requires the Comptroller to submit an annual report on the fund's expenditures and allows for the adoption of regulations to prioritize benefits for dependent children and spouses of deceased first responders. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025.

In addition, the bill amends existing laws related to health care coverage for employees of nonprofit and nonstate public employers by redefining key terms and introducing a "partnership plan" for health care benefits. This plan is available to nonstate public employers, nonprofit employers, and certain graduate students and trainees at The University of Connecticut. Importantly, the bill ensures that survivors of first responders killed in the line of duty will have their health care coverage maintained for up to five years, with employers being reimbursed for these costs from the Fallen Hero Fund. The legislation also allows the University of Connecticut's board of trustees to provide health care coverage for graduate assistants and other specified individuals through the partnership plan, with all costs covered by the university.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 3-122a, 3-123aaa, 7-313g
PS Joint Favorable Substitute: 3-122a, 3-123aaa
File No. 425: 3-122a, 3-123aaa
APP Joint Favorable: 3-122a, 3-123aaa
Public Act No. 25-61: 3-122a, 3-123aaa