Relative to death benefits of police officers to include corrections officers, probation-parole officers, and correctional line personnel, and including death from suicide, and relative to forfeiture of personal property.
Impact
The implementation of SB227 could significantly impact the financial support system for first responders, ensuring that families of those who die by suicide while in active duty receive a $100,000 line-of-duty death benefit. This could foster a more compassionate view of mental health in the first responder community and promote mental health awareness and support initiatives. It may encourage conversations about mental health resources for first responders, potentially leading to improved support systems within agencies to prevent such tragedies.
Summary
SB227 is a bill that aims to extend death benefits to first responders who die from suicide, recognizing it as a work-related cause of death. This legislation amends the definition of 'killed in the line of duty' under RSA 21-I:29-a to include suicide for police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, corrections officers, and other first response personnel. Such an inclusion acknowledges the mental health challenges faced by those in high-stress roles and aims to provide necessary support for their families in times of tragedy.
Contention
Despite the potential benefits of this bill, there may be concerns regarding its fiscal implications. The financial impact is noted as indeterminable due to the variability in claims and potential increases in general fund appropriations and expenditures. Some may also debate whether the inclusion of suicide as a work-related death could lead to increased scrutiny of mental health treatment and support provided to first responders, underlining the need for comprehensive mental health resources to prevent suicides in the first place.
Relative to death benefits for public works employees killed in the line of duty, and relative to workers' compensation offsets for certain retirement system benefits.
Providing a death benefit for a New Hampshire hospital security officer killed in the line of duty and establishing a death benefit for state security officers killed in the line of duty.
First responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel death benefits, COVID-19 death benefit provided, Secs. 36-30-1, 36-30-2, 36-30-3, 36-30-4, 36-30-5, 36-30-7 am'd.
Removing fees and charges for governmental records under the right-to-know law and reinstating potential liability for disclosure of information exempt from disclosure.