State Senate passes death-benefit bill
Legislation allowing families eligible for law enforcement officer death benefits more time to settle their estates passed the state Senate Sunday.
Senate Bill 1266 , proposed by Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, amends the Emergency and Law Enforcement Death Benefits Act to extend the allotted time for claiming death benefits for emergency and law enforcement members killed in the line of duty from 90 days to 3 years, according to a news release from Solobay.
The bill also applies to ambulance service or rescue squad members, firefighters, certified hazardous material response team members and National Guard members.
The bill has not yet been presented to the state House for consideration. It was prompted by the death of an officer whose family struggled to meet the deadline.