HB346 Alabama 2020 Session

Current law provides a one-time monetary death benefit for law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Current law also provides for continued coverage for dependents of deceased State Employees' Insurance Board (SEIB) enrollees who were enrolled at the time of death

Except for federal COBRA requirements, current law does not provide for continued health coverage for dependents of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty who were not covered by SEIB

This bill would provide for continued health coverage for dependents of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty or who die from injuries suffered in the line of duty. Benefits would continue for a spouse until remarriage, medicare eligibility, or death; coverage for other dependents would continue until the person is no longer considered a dependent. Payment of health premiums for these dependents would be the obligation of the deceased law enforcement officer's employer

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended by Amendment 890, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose

The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. If this bill is not enacted by a 2/3 vote, it will not become effective with regard to a local entity unless approved by the local entity or until, and only so long as, the Legislature appropriates funds or provides for a local source of revenue

Relating to law enforcement officers; to provide continued health coverage for dependents of law enforcement officers who are killed in the line of duty or die from injuries suffered in the line of duty; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended by Amendment 890, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.