Substitute House Bill No. 5403 seeks to improve health insurance coverage for the survivors of unpaid volunteer firefighters and state marshals who die in the line of duty. The bill amends section 3-123bbb of the general statutes to require nonstate public employers to maintain health coverage for the survivors of unpaid volunteer firefighters for one year after the firefighter's death, with the option for annual renewal for up to five years. It also mandates that these employers apply for coverage for survivors if they had not previously provided it. Additionally, the bill modifies section 5-259 to extend health insurance benefits to the surviving spouse and dependent children of state marshals who die from injuries sustained while serving a temporary restraining order, replacing previous language that did not specifically address survivor benefits.

Key legal changes include the insertion of requirements for nonstate public employers to facilitate health coverage for unpaid volunteer firefighter survivors and the provision for the state comptroller to reimburse these employers through the Fallen Hero Fund. The bill also allows the surviving spouse and dependent children of state marshals to participate in the state employee health insurance plan. The proposed legislation is set to take effect on October 1, 2026, and is anticipated to have a fiscal impact of less than $40,000 annually for the state due to medical premium costs for qualifying beneficiaries.