This bill amends section 112.19 of the Florida Statutes to revise the eligibility criteria for health insurance coverage for law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officers who are injured in the line of duty, as well as their spouses and dependent children. Key changes include the requirement that employers must pay the entire health insurance premium for the injured employee and their family members until the child reaches the age of majority or until the end of the calendar year in which the child turns 25, provided the child remains dependent for support. Additionally, the bill specifies that if the injured employee dies, the employer must continue to cover the health insurance premium for the surviving spouse until remarriage and for dependent children under the same conditions.

The bill also introduces new legal language regarding eligibility for health insurance coverage, stating that the injury must have occurred while the officer was in the line of duty or during official training. It establishes penalties for fraudulent claims related to health insurance benefits, including forfeiture of benefits and reimbursement to the employer for any benefits paid due to fraud. Furthermore, the bill includes a declaration of an important state interest and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1160 Filed: 112.19
S 1160 c1: 112.19