Amends TCA Title 7; Title 8 and Title 29.

EMERGENCY RESPONDER DEATH IN LINE OF DUTY<br /> <br /> Present law provides that the estate of any emergency responder who is killed in the line of duty is entitled to receive a $250,000 annuity, with the estate receiving an annual installment of $50,000 for five years. The emergency responder must have been current in any required training and physical exams at the time the death occurred for the estate to receive the payment. Payment must be made from the general fund after receipt by the department of finance and administration of a certified death certificate, letters testamentary or letters of administration for the estate of the deceased from a probate court, and an affidavit from the decedent's employer or volunteer unit that the decedent was killed in the line of duty.<br /> <br /> Present law provides that a denial of a claim by the estate of a law enforcement officer is subject to review by the Tennessee peace officer standards and training commission within 90 days of the denial. The commission has the authority to review the claim and issue a final order which is binding upon this state. The commission is required to cause copies of the final order to be delivered to the claimant's estate and the department of finance and administration.<br /> <br /> Present law defines "emergency responder" as including, among others, a sheriff, sheriff's deputies, a deputy jailer, or any police officer employed, commissioned, or appointed by this state, a municipality, or political subdivision of this state whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of crime and the apprehension of offenders, as well as those whose responsibility is the supervision of those who have been charged with a criminal offense. This bill adds a commissioned reserve law enforcement officer.<br /> <br /> COVERAGE OF SURVIVING SPOUSE AND DEPENDENTS<br /> <br /> Present law authorizes the state insurance committee, in approving a health insurance plan that covers first responders, to offer or continue to provide health insurance benefits to the surviving spouse and children, including any unborn child, of a first responder killed in the line of duty for a period not to exceed two years after the death of the first responder. Present law defines a "first responder" as the following: <br /> <br /> (1) Paid, full-time law enforcement officers and firefighters who are employed by the state or a local government in this state; and also includes capitol police officers, employees of the Tennessee highway patrol, Tennessee bureau of investigation, and Tennessee wildlife resources agency, and park rangers employed by the division of parks and recreation in the department of environment and conservation; and<br /> <br /> (2) Paid, full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians who are employed by a local government in this state.<br /> <br /> This bill adds a commissioned reserve law enforcement officer.<br /> <br /> REIMBURSEMENT BY THE STATE<br /> <br /> Present law provides that, if a local government offers health insurance benefits to first responders, the local government may offer or continue to provide health insurance benefits to the surviving spouse and children, including any unborn child, of a first responder killed in the line of duty for a period not to exceed two years after the death of the first responder. If a local government offers or provides health insurance benefits, then the local government must notify the commissioner of finance and administration.<br /> <br /> Present law requires this state to reimburse a local government that provides health insurance benefits in accordance with this section in an amount equal to that portion of health insurance premiums or expenses for COBRA coverage for benefits for which the local government is responsible.<br /> <br /> Present law defines a "first responder" as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency services personnel or other person who responds to calls for emergency assistance from a 911 call. This bill adds a commissioned reserve law enforcement officer.<br />