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Subcommittee advances bill to raise death benefit for public school employees
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Summary
The House Education Curriculum Subcommittee voted to give HB105 a ‘‘do pass’’ recommendation to increase the state indemnification payment for public school employees who die in the line of duty, aligning it with a prior increase for public safety officers. Supporters said existing indemnification funds can cover the change.
Representative Wade introduced House Bill 105 (LC481370EC), describing it as a proposal to increase the state indemnification payment for public school personnel who die in the line of duty.
The bill would raise the payment to match an earlier increase for public safety officers. "This is the public school indemnification fund benefit increase bill," Representative Wade said during his presentation, noting the proposal recognizes "unique hazards that are inherent in just public service." He cited the recent deaths at Apalachee High School as background for the measure.
Vice Chairman Chokas asked whether the proposal required additional appropriations. Autumn, general counsel for the Georgia Department of Administrative Services, told the committee the existing public personnel indemnification fund has sufficient funds to cover the increase and the office does not anticipate a need for a separate appropriation.
Margaret Ciccarelli of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators spoke in support, saying PAGE represents about 93,000 educators and that this was the second time a member had died in the line of duty. "These families who are hurting . . . need the help that we can give them," Ciccarelli said.
Vice Chairman Chokas moved that the subcommittee give HB105 a "do pass" recommendation; the motion was seconded and the committee approved the bill by voice vote. The committee chair said the bill will be sent to the full committee.
Ending: Committee members and witnesses framed the bill narrowly as a one‑time statutory adjustment to the indemnification payment; Autumn of DAS said available fund balances will cover the increase.
