Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 8; Title 29 and Title 63.

DEATH OF EMERGENCY RESPONDER 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 is 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 an annuity to be filed with the department of finance and administration no later than three years after the date of death of the decedent. Further, 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 an emergency call taker or public safety dispatcher to the list. COVERAGE OF SURVIVING SPOUSE AND DEPENDENTS 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 an 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 paid, full-time law enforcement officers and firefighters who are employed by the state or a local government in this state. Present law also clarifies that the term 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. This bill adds emergency call takers or public safety dispatchers to the list. REIMBURSEMENT BY THE STATE Present law provides that, if a local government offers health insurance benefits to first responders, then the local government may offer or continue to provide health insurance 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 of the first responder. If a local government offers or provides such benefits, then the local government must notify the commissioner of finance and administration. Present law requires the state to reimburse a local government that provides such benefits 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 emergency call takers or public safety dispatchers to the list.