Missouri 2024 2024 Regular Session

Missouri House Bill HJR134 Comm Sub / Analysis

Filed 02/22/2024

                    HJR134--FIRSTRESPONDERS
SPONSOR: Burger
ThisresolutionproposestoamendtheConstitutionbyaddingthe
offenseofassaultagainstafirstresponder,whichaperson
commitsifheorsheattemptstokillorknowinglycausesor
attemptstocauseseriousphysicalinjurytoafirstresponder.
"Firstresponder"isdefinedintheresolution. Theoffenseisa
classAfelony.
TheresolutionalsoproposestoaddtotheMissouriConstitution
provisionsrelatedtolineofdutydeathsforfirstresponders. As
specifiedintheresolution,aclaimforcompensationforafirst
responderkilledinthelineofdutymustbefiledbysurvivorsof
thedeceasedwiththeDivisionofWorkers'Compensationnolater
thanoneyearfromthedateofthefirstresponder'sdeath.Ifthe
claimismadewithintheone-yeartimeperiod,compensationwillbe
paidiftheDivisionfindstheclaimanttobeentitledto
compensation. Theamountofcompensationwillbe$250,000forany
suchdeathoccurringafterDecember31,2024.A$20surchargewill
beassessedascostsineachcourtproceedingfiledinanycourtin
theStateinallcriminalcases,butthesurchargewillnotbe
collectedinanyproceedinginanycourtwhentheproceedingorthe
defendanthasbeendismissedbythecourtorwhencostsaretobe
paidbytheState,county,ormunicipality. Thesurchargewillbe
depositedintothe"LineofDutyCompensationFund"oranyother
fundusedsolelyforpayingclaimsoffirstresponderskilledin
thelineofduty.