Bill > H2308

This bill amends Section 9C (1/2) of Chapter 32B of the General Laws, which pertains to death benefits for surviving spouses of call and volunteer firefighters, by expanding eligibility for certain children to receive these benefits. Specifically, it adds language to include children who are over nineteen years old and physically or mentally incapacitated from earning, in addition to those under 26. The bill also removes the phrase "continue to" from the existing law, which likely refers to the duration of benefits, and modifies the provision regarding the premium paid by surviving spouses for health insurance, changing it from "100 per cent of the premium" to "a premium at the same rate as retirees of the governmental unit from time to time as part of the total cost for such hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance," meaning they will now pay the same rate as active retirees.