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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Brendan F. Boyle |
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Boyle's effort to expand survivor benefits passes House
HARRISBURG, Oct. 8 -- State Rep. Brendan F. Boyle, D-Phila./Montgomery, announced that the House has passed legislation that would increase survivor benefits in Pennsylvania for the families of police and emergency service personnel who die in the line of duty.
Under Boyle's bill (H.B. 1938), the surviving spouse of a paid police officer, firefighter, ambulance service or rescue squad member who dies in the line of duty would receive a monthly benefit. The benefit would be equal to the first responder's monthly salary at the time of death, and would increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index. If there is no surviving spouse, the benefits would go to any surviving children.
Currently, the families of police officers, firefighters and emergency personnel killed in the line of duty are entitled to survivor benefits that amount to just a portion of their full salary. Boyle said the legislation would allow families of fallen first responders to maintain the same standard of living and quality of life they experienced before their loved one died in the line of duty.
Boyle introduced the legislation in July and it was approved by the House Finance Committee on Aug. 19. Today the House passed S.B. 369, which is the Senate version of Boyle's H.B. 1938.
"By passing and sending this legislation to the governor, we're trying to make sure the families of fallen officers and emergency personnel know that Pennsylvania is grateful for their loved one's sacrifice and that we honor their family's loss," Boyle said. "By making sure survivor benefits are adequate, we can at least make sure families can survive financially while dealing with their incredible loss."
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