Bill > HB1293

This bill increases death benefits for certain public employees killed in the line of duty, specifically raising the payment from $150,000 to $250,000 for police officers, wildlife enforcement officers, emergency response employees, corrections staff, coroners, state highway employees, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and Arkansas Forestry Commission employees. The bill expands coverage to include deaths from work-related cancers for firefighters under 68 years old, with specific provisions for cancers linked to known carcinogens. It also establishes a seven-member Firefighter Benefit Review Panel appointed by the Governor, comprising medical professionals, firefighters, a fire chief, and a citizen, which will review cancer-related death benefit claims and provide recommendations to the Arkansas State Claims Commission. Additionally, the bill adjusts the funding mechanism, increasing the state department agency fund contribution from $75,000 to $125,000 of the total death benefit. The legislation applies to deaths occurring after January 1, 2003, and aims to provide more comprehensive financial support to families of public safety workers who die in the line of duty or from work-related health conditions.

Labor and Employment

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1293&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R