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HB 2444

An Act amending the act of June 24, 1976 (P.L.424, No.101), referred to as the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act, further providing for death benefit eligibility.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Borowski and 22 co-sponsors

HB 2444 would broaden and clarify death benefits for eligible first responders, potentially increasing eligibility criteria and benefit levels for families.

Referred to Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2444

Summary: Pennsylvania HB 2444 (2025-2026 Session)

What the bill does (purpose and intent)

HB 2444 proposes amendments to the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act (Act of June 24, 1976, P.L.424, No.101). The core aim is to modify and potentially broaden death benefit eligibility for certain emergency and law enforcement personnel. The bill seeks to clarify, expand, or adjust the criteria, processes, and benefit levels associated with death benefits awarded to eligible first responders and their families.

Key provisions and changes (anticipated areas of impact)

Note: The bill text is not provided here, so the following outlines reflect typical areas addressed by amendments to the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act. The actual bill may include one or more of the following provisions:

  • Eligibility criteria enhancements

    • Adjustments to who qualifies as an eligible emergency or law enforcement personnel (e.g., full-time vs. part-time status, specific agencies, or certain roles within state or local government).
    • Clarifications to eligibility in cases involving line-of-duty deaths, duty-related illnesses, or off-duty incidents with direct work relevance.

  • Beneficiary and amount changes

    • Revision of death benefit amounts (lump-sum payment, annual survivor benefits, or both).
    • Changes to how benefits are calculated (e.g., based on years of service, salary at time of death, or a standardized amount).
    • Provisions for continued or enhanced benefits for dependents (spouses, children, or other designated dependents).

  • Application, verification, and appeals process

    • Streamlining the application process for families seeking benefits.
    • Modifications to documentation requirements, timelines for decision making, and rights of appeal.
    • Establishment or adjustment of timelines for approving claims post-incident.

  • Coordination with other benefits

    • Clarification on interactions with federal programs (e.g., Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program) or other state/local death benefits.
    • Provisions to prevent duplicate payments or to coordinate concurrent benefits.

  • Administrative and funding provisions

    • Designation of the administering agency (likely a state workers’ compensation board, pension fund, or a dedicated death benefits fund).
    • Funding mechanisms, annual appropriations, or actuarial considerations to ensure solvency of the benefit program.
    • Reporting and oversight requirements (e.g., annual reports to General Assembly, audits).

  • Definitions and terminology

    • Updated definitions of terms such as “emergency responder,” “law enforcement personnel,” and “in the line of duty” to reflect contemporary roles and scenarios.
    • Clarifications to ensure consistency with other Pennsylvania statutes.

Who would be affected

  • Immediate beneficiaries: Families and dependents of eligible emergency and law enforcement personnel who die in the line of duty or under the covered circumstances.
  • Eligible personnel and agencies: State and local law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services, and other designated first responders per the act’s definitions.
  • Administrative bodies: State agencies or boards responsible for processing claims, disbursing benefits, and monitoring compliance with the act.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Effective date and transition: The bill would specify when amendments take effect (e.g., upon enactment or a specified future date) and how existing cases are treated during the transition.
  • Application window: Timelines for filing new claims and deadlines for agencies to respond.
  • Review and oversight: Potential requirements for annual reporting, actuarial studies, or sunset provisions to reassess the program’s sufficiency and impact.

Practical impact and considerations

  • For families, the bill could mean higher or more reliably accessible death benefits and clearer pathways to eligibility.
  • For state and local governments, implications include budgeting for potentially increased benefits and ensuring administrative capacity to implement changes.
  • The bill may modernize eligibility to reflect current public safety roles and ensure consistent application across jurisdictions.

If you can provide the full text or a summary of specific sections, I can refine this into a more precise, section-by-section analysis with exact dollar amounts, timelines, and definitional changes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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