Michigan House Bill HB4119

Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/22/23
• Refer: 2/22/23

Caption

Law enforcement: funds; public safety officer death benefits; increase. Amends sec. 4 of 2004 PA 46 (MCL 28.634).

Impact

The proposed changes in HB4119 are intended to enhance the financial support for families of public safety officers facing tragic circumstances. Supporters view the increase in benefits as a necessary recognition of the risks these officers undertake and the sacrifices they make for public safety. By increasing the benefits, the bill seeks to provide greater peace of mind to the officers and their families, reassuring them that they will be supported in the event of a catastrophic injury or death. This shift could potentially strengthen recruitment and retention in law enforcement agencies, as prospective officers consider the benefits package offered to them.

Summary

House Bill 4119 aims to amend the Public Safety Officers Benefit Act, specifically targeting the provisions regarding benefits for public safety officers who die or become permanently and totally disabled due to injuries sustained in the line of duty. The bill proposes to increase the benefit amount from $25,000 to $50,000, which would be paid to designated beneficiaries such as the surviving spouse or dependents of the officer. If there are no surviving dependents or spouse, the benefit would then go to the officer's estate. Similarly, if the officer is permanently disabled and lacks a spouse or dependents, the benefit could be allocated to the entity providing care for them.

Contention

Despite the overarching support for law enforcement and the intent behind the bill, some members of the community and advocacy groups may express concerns about the financial implications of increasing benefits. Critics might point out the strain that such increases could put on state budgets, especially in times of economic difficulty or when funding for public safety programs is already tight. Additionally, there could be discussions about whether the current benefits package is equitable and whether these changes adequately address the needs of families in varying circumstances.