84R6642 AAF-F
By: Hughes H.B. No. 1278
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the amount of financial assistance paid to the
survivors of certain law enforcement officers, firefighters, and
other public employees killed in the line of duty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 615.022, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 615.022. PAYMENT TO SURVIVORS. (a) If there is an
eligible surviving spouse, the state shall pay $500,000 [$250,000]
to the eligible surviving spouse.
(b) If there is no eligible surviving spouse, the state
shall pay $500,000 [$250,000] in equal shares to surviving
children.
(c) If there is no eligible surviving spouse or child, the
state shall pay $500,000 [$250,000] in equal shares to surviving
parents.
SECTION 2. Section 615.023(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) The state shall pay to the duly appointed or qualified
guardian or other legal representative of an eligible surviving
minor child:
(1) $400 [$200] each month, if there is one surviving
child;
(2) $600 [$300] each month, if there are two surviving
children; or
(3) $800 [$400] each month, if there are three or more
surviving children.
SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act relating to
the death of certain public servants apply only in relation to a
death that occurs on or after September 1, 2015. Matters regarding
eligibility, payment, and other benefits in relation to a death
that occurs before September 1, 2015, are governed by the law in
effect when the death occurs, and the former law is continued in
effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.