First responder compensation increased

A one-time death benefit available to families of public safety officers killed in the line of duty will increase under a bill passed April 12.

In 2021, senators passed a bill that provides a one-time death benefit of $50,000 to the family of a paid or volunteer law enforcement officer, firefighter, correctional officer or government or nonprofit EMS ambulance squad member. The compensation increases each year to an amount equal to the previous year’s compensation increased by the percentage of the consumer price index.

LB717, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Adam Morfeld, increases the monetary compensation to $250,000 for deaths occurring in 2022. The benefit will increase in future years in the same manner as the previous legislation.

The bill passed on a vote of 34-6.