Bill > H2856

This bill modifies line-of-duty death and survivor benefits for police officers and firefighters in Massachusetts by making two key changes. First, it increases the death benefit from $300,000 to $350,000 in multiple instances within existing law. Second, it amends pension calculations for families of deceased public safety workers who die in the line of duty, ensuring that survivors receive a pension based on the full salary of the next grade-step the deceased worker would have been eligible for, even if they had not yet been officially promoted. This means that if a police officer or firefighter dies while serving, their surviving family will receive a pension calculated as if the worker had been promoted to the next salary grade, providing enhanced financial protection for families of public safety workers who lose their lives in the line of duty. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and applies to deaths on or after January 1, 2023.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2856