Compensation approved for first responders’ families
A bill to provide a one-time death benefit to families of Nebraska first responders killed in the line of duty was passed by the Legislature May 19.
![Sen. Matt Hansen](https://update.legislature.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SenHansen_inline-200x300.jpg)
LB255, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Matt Hansen, provides monetary compensation to the family of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, correctional officer or government or nonprofit EMS ambulance squad member killed in the line of duty, including those who work on a voluntary basis.
Under the bill, a qualifying family member must file for compensation within one year of the death. For first responders killed in 2022, compensation provided will be $50,000. For each following year, compensation will be equal to the previous year’s compensation increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers.
The bill defines a line-of-duty death as having occurred within three years of a related incident or injury during the active performance of an individual’s official duties.
LB255 passed on a 38-6 vote.
![Bookmark and Share](http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif)