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Senate expands Fallen Officer Fund to cover first responders, adds health coverage for survivors
Summary
SB 1239 renamed the Fallen Officer Fund to the Fallen Hero Fund and extended eligibility beyond police to include firefighters, EMTs, paramedics and other first responders; surviving families remain eligible for a $100,000 lump sum and may continue health insurance benefits for up to five years.
The Senate unanimously passed SB 1239 on May 15 to broaden a state fund that provides lump‑sum and health insurance support to families of first responders killed in the line of duty.
Senator Gaston, who presented the bill, said the change renames the existing Fallen Officer Fund as the Fallen Hero Fund and extends eligibility to first responders beyond police officers. Under the measure, surviving family members of a first responder killed in the line of duty remain eligible for a $100,000 lump‑sum payment; the statute also extends the decedent’s health insurance in the survivor’s name for up to five years.
Supporters framed the bill as timely during National Law Enforcement Week and said it preserves the existing benefit levels while broadening the class of eligible personnel to ensure continued support for families of those who die in service. The measure passed by unanimous roll call.
