Bill > S1204

This bill, known as the "Assistance to Firefighters' Families Act," aims to enhance support for the families of volunteer emergency service providers by doubling the survivor pension amounts paid to beneficiaries of deceased volunteer firefighters, first aid workers, rescue squad workers, and emergency medical technicians who die in the line of duty, increasing the annual payments from $15,000 to $30,000 for widows, $10,000 to $20,000 for children if the widow remarries, and $5,000 to $10,000 for parents if there is no surviving widow or child. Additionally, municipalities will be required to cover reasonable funeral and burial expenses for volunteer firefighters if these costs are not already covered by organizations like the New Jersey State Firemen's Association or a firemen's relief association. The bill also significantly increases the maximum group life insurance coverage a municipality can provide or pay premiums for, raising it from $25,000 to $250,000 per individual. To help municipalities fund these increased benefits, the bill allows them to implement a surcharge on fire code inspections, with the collected funds to be used by the municipality to cover the costs associated with these enhanced benefits for volunteer firefighters.

Government Affairs

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S1204