HB 911 — An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in employees, providing for law enforcement officer benefits for surviving family members.

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.

961 THEPRINTER'S GENERALNO. ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.

9113627 2025THE INTRODUCEDGENERAL BYASSEMBLY MEHAFFIE,OF CERRATO,PENNSYLVANIA CIRESI,HOUSE DEASY,BILL DONAHUESession ANDof D.No.

WILLIAMS,911 MARCH 17, 2025 REFERREDINTRODUCED TOBY COMMITTEEMEHAFFIE, ONCERRATO, LOCALCIRESI, GOVERNMENT,DEASY, MARCHDONAHUE, 17,D. 2025 AN ACT Amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania enforcement officer benefits for surviving family members.

WILLIAMS, K.

HARRIS, MUNROE, BRENNAN, T.

DAVIS, GOUGHNOUR, STEELE, NEILSON AND GREEN, MARCH 17, 2025 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 17, 2026 AN ACT Amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in employees, providing for law enforcement officer benefits for surviving family members.

(b) Disability.--If a full-time law enforcement officer is disabled AND UNABLE TO PERFORM ANY POLICE DUTY FOR WHICH THE <-- OFFICER IS REASONABLY SUITED BY EDUCATION, TRAINING OR EXPERIENCE from an accident occurring as a result of the performance of duties while employed:

(ii) The Department of General Services in accordance with the act of June 24, 1976 (P.L.424, No.101), referred to as the Emergency and Law Enforcement 20250HB0911PN3627 - 2 - Personnel Death Benefits Act.

(iii) The Bureau of Justice Assistance within the United States Department of Justice in accordance with 34 20250HB0911PN0961 - 2 - U.S.C.

(d) Assistance.--A municipality OR REGIONAL POLICE <-- DEPARTMENT shall assist a surviving spouse with navigating the process of claims and payments under this section.

(e) Termination of benefits.--All health benefits under this <-- section shall cease upon the recipient of the health care benefits reaching 65 years of age.

(E) TERMINATION OF BENEFITS.--A MUNICIPALITY MAY TERMINATE <-- HEALTH BENEFITS UNDER THIS SECTION IF:

(1) A SURVIVING SPOUSE OF A DECEASED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REMARRIES;

OR (2) A SURVIVING SPOUSE RECEIVES EQUIVALENT HEALTH BENEFITS FROM THE SURVIVING SPOUSE'S EMPLOYER.

(F) MEDICARE ELIGIBILITY.--WHEN A RECIPIENT OF HEALTH BENEFITS UNDER THIS SECTION IS ENTITLED TO OR ENROLLED IN MEDICARE:

(1) THE RECIPIENT SHALL UTILIZE THE FEDERAL MEDICARE 20250HB0911PN3627 - 3 - PROGRAM AS THE RECIPIENT'S PRIMARY HEALTH BENEFIT.

(2) IN THE CASE OF A SURVIVING SPOUSE OF A DECEASED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO SERVED A MUNICIPALITY, THE MUNICIPALITY SHALL PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL MEDICARE PROGRAM COVERAGE THROUGH THE CARRIER PROVIDING COVERAGE AT THE TIME OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S DEATH.

(3) IN THE CASE OF A SURVIVING SPOUSE OF A DECEASED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO SERVED A REGIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE REGIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL MEDICARE PROGRAM COVERAGE THROUGH THE CARRIER PROVIDING COVERAGE AT THE TIME OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S DEATH.

(G) APPLICABILITY.--IN ADDITION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY:

(1) SUBSECTION (A) SHALL APPLY TO A SURVIVING SPOUSE OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, IF THE SURVIVING SPOUSE WAS WIDOWED BEFORE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SUBSECTION.

(2) SUBSECTION (B) SHALL APPLY TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO BECAME DISABLED AND THE SPOUSE OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO BECAME DISABLED, IF THE DISABILITY OCCURRED BEFORE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SUBSECTION.

"Law enforcement officer." As the term "police officer" is <-- defined in section 2162 (relating to definitions).

"FULL HEALTH BENEFITS." THE SAME LEVEL OF HEALTH INSURANCE <-- COVERAGE FROM THE SAME CARRIER THAT A SURVIVING SPOUSE OR DEPENDENT RECEIVED AT THE TIME OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S DEATH.

20250HB0911PN3627 - 4 - "LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER." A FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME EMPLOYEE ASSIGNED TO CRIMINAL OR TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT DUTIES OF:

(1) A POLICE DEPARTMENT OF A MUNICIPALITY;

OR (2) A REGIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT.

"MEDICARE." HEALTH BENEFITS PROVIDED UNDER 42 U.S.C.

CH.

7 SUBCH.

XVIII (RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE FOR AGED AND DISABLED).

"REGIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT." A POLICE DEPARTMENT FORMED BY <-- TWO OR MORE MUNICIPALITIES UNDER SUBCHAPTER A OF CHAPTER 23 (RELATING TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION).

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