DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 231 Original 2025 Regular Session Chassion
Abstract: Extends health insurance coverage for the families of law enforcement officers and
firemen killed in the line of duty.
Present law requires the employer of an officer who is killed in the course of the performance of his
official duties or arising out of any activity on or off duty in his capacity as a law enforcement
officer, in the protection of life or property, to provide and pay for health insurance coverage for the
law enforcement officer's surviving spouse for two years following the death of the law enforcement
officer. Requires the employer to provide and pay for health insurance coverage for the law
enforcement officer's surviving child for as long as the child remains qualified for the benefit or two
years, whichever comes first.
Proposed law extends the present law health insurance coverage for law enforcement officers to
firemen.
Present law provides health insurance coverage to the surviving spouse for two years following the
death of the law enforcement officer.
Proposed law extends the health insurance coverage for the remainder of the life of the law
enforcement officer's or fireman's surviving spouse.
Present law provides health insurance to the children of the law enforcement officer for two years
following the death of the law enforcement officer or until the child no longer meets the
qualifications provided in present law, whichever comes first. The qualifications of present law are
that the child is under 18 years of age, is under 23 years of age if regularly attending secondary
school or an accredited college or university, or is physically or mentally disabled.
Proposed law removes the two-year limitation for health insurance benefits and extends the
availability of health insurance benefits to the children of firemen who were killed in the line of duty.
Proposed law applies retroactively.
(Amends R.S. 40:1665.2(G)(1) and (2)(b); Adds R.S. 40:1665(D))