Bill > SB1157

This bill modifies Arizona's workers' compensation law regarding death benefits, primarily focusing on benefits for surviving spouses and children of first responders. The bill introduces a new provision that allows surviving spouses of first responders to continue receiving benefits even after remarriage, unlike the previous law which reduced or terminated benefits upon remarriage. For first responders' surviving spouses without children, the benefit is set at sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the deceased's average monthly wage, paid until the spouse's death. If there are surviving children, the spouse receives thirty-five percent of the wage, and the children receive an additional thirty-one and two-thirds percent, divided equally. The bill defines "first responders" as peace officers, firefighters, and paramedics, including volunteer first responders operating in an official capacity during emergencies. The changes apply to spouses who lost benefits due to remarriage on or after January 1, 2000, with the caveat that while they can receive prospective benefits, they cannot receive retroactive payments. The bill also makes some minor formatting and language clarifications to the existing workers' compensation statute.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/82330