S1469

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Fred H. Madden and Senate President Steve Sweeney that would provide workers’ compensation benefits to spouses of certain deceased fire and police personnel for the entire period of survivorship was signed into law today.

The law, S-1469, allows surviving spouses of members of the State Police or members of fire or police departments who die in the line of duty to continue receiving weekly workers’ compensation benefits for as long as the spouse lives, regardless of remarriage.

“There is no greater tragedy than when a police officer or firefighter is killed in action. These heroes sacrificed their lives to protect the community and we have a responsibility to look out for their surviving spouses and dependents,” said Madden, D-Gloucester and Camden. “This legislation is a way of offering support to their grieving loved ones and helping to relieve the financial burden they face as they move forward with their lives.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Fred H. Madden and Senate President Steve Sweeney that would provide workers’ compensation benefits to spouses of certain deceased fire and police personnel for the entire period of survivorship was approved today by the General Assembly, receiving final legislative approval.

The bill, S-1469, would allow surviving spouses of members of the State Police or members of fire or police departments who die in the line of duty to continue receiving weekly workers’ compensation benefits for as long as the spouse lives, regardless of remarriage.

“There are few events more traumatic than losing an officer or firefighter in the line of duty, and families of the deceased face an immeasurable sense of grief and responsibility,” said Madden, D-Gloucester and Camden. “Providing lasting financial security to surviving spouses and dependents is the least we can do so that they can begin putting their lives back together and moving forward.”