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House approves expanded survivor benefits and larger lump-sum for state employees killed on duty
Summary
The Connecticut House adopted an emergency-certified resolution that changes how pensions and lump-sum payments are handled when state employees are killed in the line of duty, raises the one-time payment and indexes it for future increases.
The Connecticut House on Jan. 28 adopted an emergency-certified resolution (House Resolution 12) that changes survivor benefits for state employees killed in the line of duty and raises the one‑time cash payment recipients receive.
Representative Josh Elliott moved adoption and described the changes, saying the surviving spouse will receive periodic pension payments as if the deceased employee had already begun receiving their pension. The resolution also raises the flat cash disbursement for a death in the line of duty from $100,000 to $168,000 and indexes that amount to rise in future years. In cases where no spouse or dependents survive, the one-time payment to the estate would increase from $50,000 to $81,000 and will likewise be indexed.
The change also clarifies what qualifies as dying in the line of duty and preserves existing retirement/health coverage mechanics while shifting the payment levels and indexing. Representative Weir asked whether employees must have paid into the pension system to receive the benefit; Elliott confirmed they must. Weir also confirmed with Elliott that the change preserves existing disability and health coverage processes for survivors. Representative Elliott said the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) estimates the current scope will affect six cases and cost the state about $86,000 annually at present.
Representative Nucci gave personal remarks recounting the 05/30/2024 death of Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier and urged colleagues to adopt the change quickly so survivors would not face financial uncertainty. Representative Pavlak Damato, who spoke on behalf of the Pelletier family, thanked the comptroller and staff for their work on the measure.
The House voted to adopt the emergency certification and the resolution. Clerk-read results show 143 members voting in favor, none opposed, with seven absent (adopted).
Why it matters: The resolution increases immediate financial support for families of state employees killed on duty and indexes the one-time payments to avoid future erosion of value. Lawmakers called the change a correction of an inequity dating to 1998 when the $100,000 payment was first set.
Details and next steps: The resolution is emergency-certified and will be transmitted to the Senate as required for concurrence. The change will take effect according to the language in the resolution and any implementing guidance from OPM and the comptroller's office. OPM provided the current estimated annualized cost during floor questions; the resolution itself contains the revised benefit levels and indexing mechanism.
Ending note: Lawmakers on both sides described the measure as targeted to a small number of cases but important to families who lose a wage‑earner in service to the state.
