ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-seventh Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate: FIN DP 6-1-0-0 | APPROP 10-0-0-0 | 3^rd Read: 24-3-2-0

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SB 1156: death benefits; burial costs

Sponsor: Senator Gowan, LD 19

Committee on Government

Overview

Increases, from $5,000 to $10,000, the amount of burial expenses paid for a worker's compensation death benefit.

History

In the event of a loss sustained on account of injury or death specified employees and their dependents are entitled to receive compensation.  These employees include but are not limited to: 1) all persons in the service of the state of Arizona and its municipalities including police and fire departments; 2) specified lessees of mining property; 3) firefighters, volunteer firefighters, policemen and voluntary policemen; 4) members of the Department of Public Safety reserve; and 5) members of a volunteer sheriff's reserve (A.R.S. §§ 23-901, 23-1021).

In the case of an injury involving death the following compensation amounts are prescribed in statute: 1) burial expenses of $5,000; and 2) differing percentages of the average monthly wage of the deceased individual based on the existence of a surviving spouse or dependent kin.  A surviving spouse's benefits terminate upon their death or remarriage.  The benefits for surviving children cease upon the child's eighteenth birthday, unless they are incapable of self-support (A.R.S. § 23-1046).

Provisions

1. Increases the death benefit for burial expenses from no more than $5,000 to no more than $10,000. (Sec. 1)

2. Applies this act retroactively to January 1, 2024, to the spouses of first responders. (Sec. 2)

3. Defines first responder. (Sec. 2)

4. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)

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8.                   SB 1156

9. Initials JH/SR     Page 0 Government

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