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Senate panel raises burial benefit and removes remarriage penalty for first‑responder survivors
Summary
The committee unanimously passed two bills increasing the burial benefit for line‑of‑duty deaths from $5,000 to $10,000 and eliminating a remarriage penalty that terminated survivors’ death benefits. Widows, survivors and first‑responder groups testified in support, describing financial hardship and the symbolic importance of the changes.
The Senate Finance Committee passed two bills aimed at expanding and protecting benefits for families of first responders who die in the line of duty.
Senate Bill 11‑35 increases the amount paid toward burial expenses in workers’ compensation death benefits from $5,000 to $10,000. Supporters, including surviving spouses and representatives of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association and other first‑responder groups, described current funeral costs and the financial stress on families.
Senate Bill 11‑36 eliminates remarriage as a disqualifying event for surviving spouses’ workers’ compensation death benefits (prospective payments) so that survivors would not lose average monthly wage benefits or health insurance upon remarriage. Several surviving spouses testified that the current rule forces difficult personal choices and that benefits should not vanish if a spouse later remarries.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about retroactivity and whether the changes would be prospective. The sponsor clarified that SB 11‑36’s restored eligibility would apply prospectively; both bills passed the committee unanimously and will advance in the legislative process.
