Bill S.89, introduced by Senator Vyhovsky, aims to expand survivors' benefits to include the families of law enforcement officers, Department of Corrections employees, Family Services Division employees, and employees in state-operated therapeutic community residences or inpatient psychiatric hospital units who die in the line of duty or from an occupation-related illness. The bill is officially titled "Jessica's Law" and includes several amendments to the definitions of emergency personnel and the criteria for line of duty service. Notably, it adds law enforcement officers and various state employees to the definition of emergency personnel and clarifies the circumstances under which their deaths would be considered in the line of duty.

Additionally, the bill modifies the process for awarding monetary benefits to survivors. It specifies that if the Emergency Personnel Survivors Benefit Review Board awards a benefit, the Treasurer has up to one year from the date of receiving the claim to disburse the funds to the beneficiaries. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 20-3171, 20-3172