Bill > H0642

This bill aims to create consistent and improved benefits for public safety officers in Idaho who suffer catastrophic injuries or die in the line of duty, prompted by a tragic attack on firefighters. It amends existing law to ensure that the lump-sum death benefit for surviving spouses or dependent children is equal to the catastrophic injury benefit for those who survive. The bill also establishes a pension benefit for surviving spouses that aligns with benefits previously available when an officer died after qualifying for a catastrophic injury benefit. A "catastrophic injury" is defined as a severe, duty-related, externally caused physical injury that results in permanent loss of function or the inability to perform duties, and now explicitly includes injuries that lead to death. The bill clarifies that "catastrophic line of duty benefits" can be paid to an injured officer or to the surviving spouse of an officer whose catastrophic injury results in death, and also outlines benefits for dependent children if there is no surviving spouse. While the primary funding for these increased benefits will come from public safety officer pension contributions, employers will cover the first $100,000 of benefits in cases of death resulting from a catastrophic injury, continuing a previous cost-sharing arrangement for death benefits. The bill also repeals a section of existing law related to these benefits and includes an emergency clause for immediate effect.

Business and Industry

Commerce and Human Resources Committee (House)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/H0642/