HB546 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul DeMarco

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Alan BakerSpencer CollierArthur PayneRon Johnson

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Law enforcement officers, firefighters, or volunteer firefighters, death benefits for death in line of duty, requirement that death be within 10 years of injury deleted, Sec. 36-30-2 am'd.

Summary

HB546 creates a $100,000 death benefit for dependents of peace officers, firefighters, or volunteer firefighters killed in the line of duty, and a $100,000 disability benefit for volunteer firefighters who become totally disabled from line-of-duty injuries, with annual cost-of-living adjustments.

What This Bill Does

It provides a $100,000 death benefit to beneficiaries when death is the direct result of injuries received in the line of duty (including deaths from heart attack or stroke related to duty) and is deemed to have occurred within 10 years of the injury. It also creates a $100,000 disability benefit for volunteer firefighters who become totally disabled due to injuries sustained on the job, with a defined medical standard for total disability, a state-driven determination process (with agency help), a 30-day decision timeline, and an appeals option. Beginning in 2009, the amounts paid under these provisions are adjusted each year based on changes in the consumer price index.

Who It Affects

• Dependents/beneficiaries of peace officers, firefighters, and volunteer firefighters; they would receive a $100,000 death benefit if death is linked to line-of-duty injuries (subject to certain exclusions).
• Volunteer firefighters who become totally disabled from line-of-duty injuries; they may receive a $100,000 disability payment after a formal determination and through an appeals process.

Key Provisions

• Death benefit: $100,000 payable from the State Treasury to the beneficiaries of a peace officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter killed as a direct result of injuries received in the line of duty or from a heart attack/stroke related to duty, with exclusions for willful misconduct, intoxication, or failure to follow safety rules.
• Disability benefit and CPI adjustment: Volunteer firefighters who become totally disabled due to line-of-duty injuries lasting more than 12 months receive $100,000; disability is medically defined as an inability to perform the duties of the job; determination by the State Health Officer with agency assistance, decision within 30 days, and a right to appeal; annual adjustments to the benefit amounts beginning in 2009 based on changes in the consumer price index.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Death Benefits