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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 23, 2023 05:14 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Joe Hamm and Rep. Jamie L. Flick |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | State Death Benefits for Coroners |
| In the near future, I will be re-introducing legislation to extend the death benefit that is currently available to emergency responders to include coroners and deputy coroners. This legislation (former HB 1451) passed the House unanimously last Session. The Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act provides a state benefit of $100,000 (annually adjusted using the Consumer Price Index; currently $158,550.75) to emergency responders for deaths related to the performance of their duties. Coroners are medicolegal death investigators who investigate the cause and manner of death, and certify every homicide, suicide and accidental death in addition to certifying many natural deaths. Medical legal death investigation is considered one of the first parts of an investigation of a crime scene, similar to the work of police, emergency medical services and fire protection services, to that end, coroners and their deputies are indeed a first responder, as such, should be considered “Essential Personnel.” It is important to note that coroners perform necessary investigations while trying to protect themselves from exposure in the process. These individuals perform their duties with dedication and courage and should be recognized for their service, including service that results in a line of duty death. Please consider joining me in sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB422