In an effort to help the first responders risking their health and safety to serve their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Assembly Democrats Carol Murphy, Annette Chaparro and Raj Mukherji sponsor a bill to extend eligibility for accidental disability and death benefits to certain first responders who contract the disease. The legislation unanimously passed the Senate and Assembly on Monday.
Law enforcement officers, state troopers, firefighters and emergency medical responders enrolled in one of the three retirement systems associated with these professions are eligible for accidental disability benefits if they sustain a permanent and total disability resulting from a traumatic event that occurred on the job. Similarly, their named beneficiaries are eligible for accidental death benefits if they lose their lives in the line of duty.