Increases accidental death benefit for certain members of PERS.

This bill (S 1031) increases accidental death benefits for firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, hazardous materials responders, and fire instructors who die in the line of duty while active PERS members. It raises the survivor spouse pension from 50% to 70% of the member’s last-year compensation (with a $50,000 minimum), increases children’s benefits from 25% to 70% if no spouse survives, and adds state-paid health insurance premiums for surviving spouses and children. The benefits are retroactive to January 1, 2021, with lump-sum payments for past differences between old and new benefit amounts. The bill aligns PERS accidental death benefits with the existing Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) structure.