Amends TCA Title 7; Title 8 and Title 58, Chapter 2.

COMPENSATION FOR DEATH IN LINE OF DUTY Present law provides that the estate of an 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. Present law requires a claim for payment of such an annuity to be filed with the department no later than three years after the death. A person's estate is only entitled to receive one such annuity, regardless of the person being in more than one category of emergency responder. Present law defines an "emergency responder" as a firefighter, emergency medical technician, a volunteer rescue squad worker, or law enforcement officer. This bill adds a public safety dispatcher to such definition. HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR SURVIVING SPOUSE AND CHILDREN If a local government offers health insurance benefits to first responders, then present law authorizes the local government to offer or continue to provide such benefits to the surviving spouse and children, including an unborn child, of a first responder killed in the line of duty for a period not to exceed two years after the death. The local government must notify the commissioner of finance and administration if the local government will provide such benefits. Present law requires the state to reimburse the local government 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. Present law defines a "first responder" as paid, full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians who are employed by a local government in this state. This bill adds a public safety dispatcher to such definition. FIRST RESPONDERS FROM LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES Present law provides that the estate of a first responder from a local emergency management agency who is killed in the line of duty is entitled to receive the sum of $25,000, with payment to be made from the general fund after receipt by the department of finance and administration of a certified death certificate and an affidavit from the decedent's employer that the decedent was killed in the line of duty. Present law defines "first responders from a local emergency management agencies” as emergency management agency personnel, including, but not limited to, emergency managers who, as first responders, go directly to the scene of an emergency; or provide direct logistical support during the emergency and may go to and from a disaster or emergency area. This bill specifically adds a public safety dispatcher to such definition.