SPONSOR: Amato
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Crime and Public Safety by a vote of 15 to 0.
This bill increases the line of duty compensation benefit paid to a claimant from the current amount of $25,000 to $100,000, subject to appropriation, for deaths occurring on or after August 28, 2025. Beginning in 2026, the amount of compensation benefits are adjusted annually by the percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, as reported by the United States Department of Labor. The annual adjustment would not decrease the compensation benefit paid to a claimant to less than $100,000.
These provisions sunset on December 31, 2031.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that similar bills have passed in the House in the previous two sessions, and the money is budgeted. Because the sunset expires this year, the families of first responders killed in the line of duty will lose the funds they are entitled to. On average, this affects eight people per year, paying out approximately $200,000 per year. This benefit triggers Federal benefits, so, without this benefit, family members would not receive the Federal funds to which they are entitled.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Amato; Arnie Dienoff; Jay Schroeder, Missouri FOP; Missouri Ambulance Association; and Jorgen Schlemeier, Fire Service Alliance.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: