ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

House: PS DP 5-0-0-2 │ GOV DPA 10-0-0-1

HB 2145: PSPRS; CORP; death benefits; suicide

Sponsor: Representative Kern, LD 20

Caucus & COW

Overview

Includes suicide in the definition of killed in the line of duty relating to monthly benefit compensation and pension payments.

History

A surviving spouse or surviving dependent of a deceased law enforcement officer or firefighter killed in the line of duty is entitled to receive a monthly amount equal to the deceased member's average monthly benefit compensation. This applies as a lifetime benefit for spouses and a limited benefit for dependents. Killed in the line of duty means the decedent's death was the direct and proximate result of the performance of public safety duties and does not include suicide (A.R.S. § 38-846).

A surviving spouse's pension commences after the law enforcement officer's death. The payments are made until last day of the month of the surviving spouse's death. The pension is 40 percent of the deceased member's average monthly salary (A.R.S. § 38-888).

Provisions

1. Entitles a spouse of a law enforcement officer who commits suicide to receive monthly benefits and pension payments equal to the deceased law enforcement officer's average monthly benefit compensation. (Sec. 1 & 2)

2. Includes suicide in the definition of killed in the line of duty. (Secs. 1 & 2)

3. Contains a retroactivity clause of January 1, 2019. (Sec. 3)

Amendments

Committee on Government

1. Changes the definition of killed in the line of duty to state the death was the direct and proximate result of the performance of public safety duties including suicide.

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5. HB 2145

6. Initials ES/BM Page 0 Caucus & COW

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