Chapter 186

2003 -- S 0370

07/10/03

AN ACT

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED

FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS

Introduced By: Senators Breene, and Parella

Date Introduced: February 12, 2003

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 45-19-4.3 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-19 entitled "Relief of

Injured and Deceased Fire Fighters and Police Officers" is hereby amended to read as follows:

45-19-4.3. One time death benefit -- Death benefits to family of deceased police

officers, correctional officers, and firefighters. -- (a) If an active or retired police officer,

capitol police officer, correctional officer, firefighter, crash rescue crew person, fire marshal, or

deputy fire marshal of any city, town, or fire district, of or the state of Rhode Island or state

sheriff or state deputy sheriff or a correctional officer or member of a volunteer auxiliary fire

force or volunteer crash rescue or ambulance corp is killed or dies from injuries received while in

the performance of his or her duties, there shall be paid a killed-in-line-of-duty benefit to be

administered by the board of police officer's and firefighter's relief. The benefit shall be in the

sum of forty percent (40%) of the federal death benefits for law enforcement officers and

firefighters killed in the line of duty.

      (b) For the purpose of this section, "family" means the surviving spouse of the deceased

person, if there is no surviving spouse, the child or children of the deceased person, or if there is

no surviving child, the parent or parents of the deceased person, if the parent or parents were at

least fifty percent (50%) financially dependent upon the deceased person.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.     

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LC02245

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