This bill aims to amend and reenact section 15-11-2 of the West Virginia Code to align the language regarding funeral expense payments for first responders with existing state law. The proposed changes include replacing the term "killed" with "who dies" to clarify the eligibility criteria for funeral expense payments for law enforcement, safety, and emergency workers who die in the line of duty. Additionally, the bill updates the responsible authority from the Secretary of Military Affairs and Public Safety to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that the Secretary shall direct payment of up to $8,000 for reasonable funeral expenses upon written request from an employer or head of a volunteer organization, ensuring that at least this amount is available even if other funds are provided. The definition of "law-enforcement, safety, or emergency worker" is also clarified to include various categories of personnel, such as law enforcement officers, correctional employees, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and probation officers. Overall, the bill seeks to ensure that the language and provisions regarding funeral expenses for first responders are consistent and clear within the West Virginia Code.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-11-2