House committee hears H.57 to extend $80,000 survivor benefit to law enforcement families

Representative Mark Higley introduced H.57, an act to extend the state’s Emergency Personnel Survivors Benefit to include law‑enforcement officers, at the House Committee on General & Housing on Jan. 29. Sophie Daphney, legislative counsel, summarized the bill and explained how it would amend existing statute and the Review Board that administers awards.

"The bill H.57 would provide that one‑time $80,000 survivor benefit to members of the family of law enforcement officers," Daphney told the committee, saying the measure would expand the definition of emergency personnel and update the board’s membership to include representation from the Vermont Criminal Justice Council and a public member representing law‑enforcement interests.

Daphney said the bill broadens the statute’s definition of "line of duty" to include responding to complaints or disorders, going to and returning from a call or drill, and service under departmental orders. She said the measure would change references throughout the chapter to add "law enforcement officer" and make technical drafting updates.

Several committee members pressed for details about funding and scope. Representative Mary Howard said the bill was personally important to her and to constituents in Rutland, noting the 2023 death of Officer Jessica Ebbinghausen in Rutland City. Daphney and Higley told the committee the bill as introduced contains no appropriation; Higley said the treasurer’s office is willing to discuss seed funding or emergency board transfers.

Ashlyn from the treasurer’s office told members there is currently no money in the survivors’ benefit account. Committee members asked whether volunteer responders and off‑duty officers would be covered; Daphney said the current statutory language for emergency personnel includes volunteer personnel and that the bill’s expanded line‑of‑duty wording is intended to cover responses undertaken to answer a complaint, disorder or emergency even if not at the officer’s scheduled shift.

Higley provided a brief history: the benefit grew out of prior legislation covering firefighters, with later amendments adding emergency medical personnel and volunteer responders, and last year’s change increased the potential award from $50,000 to $80,000. He and witnesses noted a federal Public Safety Officers’ Benefit program that provides a larger federal death benefit — which Daphney said currently is approximately $448,005.75 for eligible deaths on or after Oct. 1, 2024 — and that states commonly provide a supplemental, nontaxable payment.

Committee members did not vote on the bill during the session. Members requested the treasurer’s office and advocates be called for formal testimony at a future hearing to address funding, the Review Board’s history of awards and definitions that determine eligibility.