House Bill No. 231, introduced by Representative Chassion, aims to extend health insurance coverage for the families of law enforcement officers and firemen who are killed in the line of duty. The proposed legislation enacts new provisions under R.S. 40:1665(D) and 1665.2(H), which require the employer of a deceased officer or fireman to provide health insurance coverage for the surviving spouse for the remainder of their life. Additionally, it mandates coverage for the deceased's child, stepchild, or adopted child until they reach the age of 18, turn 23 while enrolled in school, or are deemed physically or mentally disabled. The bill specifies that if health insurance is offered to active members, the coverage for surviving family members must be equal to that of active members.

The bill also includes a retroactive provision, applying the new health insurance benefits back to January 1, 2017, for all eligible surviving spouses and children. However, the provisions are limited to parishes with a population between 240,000 and 255,000, based on the latest federal census. The bill retains the existing law's two-year limitation for health insurance benefits for spouses and children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, while also allowing the surviving spouse or parent/guardian of the child to decline the offered coverage.

Statutes affected:
HB231 Original: 40:2(G)(1)