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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
retirement systems; post-traumatic stress disorder
Purpose
Adds to the definition of killed in the line of duty, for the purposes of the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) or Corrections' Officer Retirement Plan (CORP), a member who died by suicide and had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Background
Statute entitles the surviving spouse or surviving dependent of a deceased PSPRS member who is killed in the line of duty or dies from injuries suffered in the line of duty to receive a monthly amount equal to: 1) for a surviving spouse, the deceased member's average monthly benefit compensation; or 2) for a surviving dependent, one-tenth of the monthly amount of pension that the deceased member or retired member would have received immediately before death. 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 the decedent's public safety duties and does not include suicide (A.R.S. § 38-846).
Statute entitles the surviving spouse or surviving dependent of a deceased CORP member who is killed in the line of duty or dies from injuries suffered in the line of duty to receive a monthly amount equal to: 1) for the surviving spouse, the deceased member's average monthly benefit compensation; or 2) for a surviving dependent, a share of the amount of the surviving spouse's pension. Killed in the line of duty means the decedent's death was the direct and proximate result of physical injuries incurred in the performance of the decedent's public safety duties and does not include suicide (A.R.S. § 38-888).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Adds to the definition of killed in the line of duty a member who died by suicide and had been diagnosed with PTSD.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 8, 2024
MG/cs