The bill amends Section 45-19-4.3 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-19, which is concerned with "Relief of Injured and Deceased Fire Fighters and Police Officers." The amendment changes the one-time death benefit provided to the family of deceased police officers, correctional officers, and firefighters. Specifically, the bill increases the killed-in-line-of-duty benefit from forty percent (40%) to one hundred percent (100%) of the federal death benefits for law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. The benefit is distributed to the surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, a designated beneficiary, or the parents of the deceased officer, depending on the surviving relatives.

The bill also outlines the criteria for domestic partners to be recognized for the purpose of the death benefit, including age, mental competency, marital status, cohabitation, financial interdependence, and beneficiary designations. The act would take effect immediately upon passage. The explanation by the Legislative Council clarifies that the purpose of the act is to increase the killed-in-line-of-duty benefit to match the full amount of the federal death benefit.

Statutes affected:
2314: 45-19-4.3