This bill amends and reenacts sections 15-11-1 and 15-11-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, to clarify the payment of funeral expenses for law-enforcement, safety, and emergency workers who die as a proximate result of their official duties. The bill establishes a special fund known as the "law-enforcement, safety, and emergency worker funeral expense payment fund," which will be administered by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, replacing the previous designation of the Secretary of Military Affairs and Public Safety.

Additionally, the bill specifies that funeral expenses may be paid for workers who die in the line of duty, with a maximum amount of $8,000 for reasonable funeral expenses. It ensures that funds will be available to cover the full amount of $8,000 if other sources provide less than this amount. The bill also updates the language to reflect that the Secretary will direct payments upon written request from an employer or head of a volunteer organization, certifying that the individual died as a result of their official duties. Overall, the bill aims to align the language in the statute with existing provisions for survivor benefits for first responders.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-11-2
Committee Substitute: 15-11-1, 15-11-2