This bill aims to amend the benefits provided to the dependents of State Police officers who are required to take disability retirement, aligning them more closely with the benefits afforded to the dependents of officers who retire after serving twenty years without disability. Specifically, it modifies the compensation structure for surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents of deceased members or retirants. The bill proposes that the surviving spouse will receive an annual payment in equal monthly installments that is equivalent to three-fourths of the retirement benefits the deceased retirant was receiving or would have been entitled to, with a minimum guarantee of $5,000, replacing the previous calculation based on a percentage of the deceased member's salary over twenty-five years.

Additionally, the bill maintains provisions for monthly payments to dependent children and outlines scholarship benefits for qualified surviving dependent children, which can cover up to $7,500 per year for educational expenses. It also clarifies the timing of beneficiary payments for surviving spouses and dependents, ensuring they receive benefits promptly following the death of the member or retirant. Overall, the proposed changes are designed to enhance the financial support available to the families of State Police officers who face the challenges of disability retirement.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-2-33