HB1293

House Bill 1293 proposes an increase to the state-funded death benefit for specific public employees who are killed in the line of duty. The bill raises the lump-sum payment from $150,000 to $250,000 for qualified recipients of police officers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, forestry commission employees, and other specified public safety personnel. It also adjusts the internal allocation of these funds, stipulating that $125,000 of the total benefit shall be paid by the relevant state agency fund account. Additionally, the bill maintains and formalizes the structure of the Firefighter Benefit Review Panel, which advises the Arkansas State Claims Commission on death benefit claims related to cancer diagnoses in firefighters. The legislation clarifies the scope of these benefits and establishes procedural guidelines for the review panel.