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Bill

H 57

An act relating to survivor benefits for law enforcement officers

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Angela Arsenault and 28 co-sponsors

H.57 creates or enhances survivor benefits for Vermont law enforcement families, detailing eligible dependents, benefit amounts, funding, and coordination with other programs.

Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)
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Bill Summary · H 57

Summary of Bill H.57 (Session 2025-2026) — Vermont

Purpose and intent

  • H.57 is an act relating to survivor benefits for law enforcement officers. The primary aim is to provide or modify survivor benefits for families of law enforcement personnel who die in the line of duty or as a result of service, ensuring financial support for dependents and designated beneficiaries.

Key provisions and changes

  • Survivor benefits framework: Establishes or adjusts the eligibility criteria, benefit level, and administration of survivor benefits for law enforcement officers.
  • Benefit amounts and duration: Specifies how much support survivors receive and for how long, including potential escalation or adjustment mechanisms (e.g., cost-of-living adjustments).
  • Coverage scope: Defines which individuals are eligible for survivor benefits (e.g., dependents, spouses, domestic partners, children, or other designated beneficiaries) and whether benefits apply to sworn officers only or include certain civilian staff.
  • Administration and funding: Outlines which state or local agencies administer the program, the source of funding (general funds, dedicated fund, or line-item appropriations), and any requirements for annual reporting or fiscal oversight.
  • Eligibility triggers: Clarifies the events that qualify a survivor for benefits (e.g., line-of-duty death, death resulting from service-connected incidents, or retirement-related issues under specified conditions).
  • Coordination with other benefits: Addresses coordination with federal survivor benefits (e.g., Social Security), workers’ compensation, or other state programs to prevent duplicate payments or gaps.
  • Application and enrollment: Sets forth the process for applying, required documentation, timelines for determinations, and appeal rights if eligibility is denied.
  • Protections and exclusions: Identifies any life-tenure, rehabilitation, or professional implications for beneficiaries; includes any stated exclusions (e.g., benefits not subject to assignment or garnishment, except as allowed by law).

Who would be affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Families and dependents of Vermont law enforcement officers who die or are grievously injured in the line of duty, or as defined by the act.
  • Law enforcement agencies: State and potentially participating local agencies responsible for reporting deaths, submitting eligibility materials, and administering survivor benefit payments.
  • State government: Fiscal and administrative departments tasked with funding the program, managing benefits, auditing compliance, and reporting to the legislature.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Bill status:
    • Jan 22, 2025: Read first time and referred to the Committee on General and Housing.
    • Jan 27, 2025: (Noted in history) — probable progression within committee structure.
    • Feb 27, 2025: Notice Calendar indicates favorable action with amendment, and referred to the Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a).
  • Next steps: If amended and approved by the Appropriations Committee, the bill would return to the floor for further debate and a final vote, and then potentially move to the other chamber for consideration.
  • Effective date: The act would specify an effective date (e.g., immediate upon passage or a future effective date) and any transition provisions for current beneficiaries.

Notable considerations

  • Fiscal impact: The bill will affect state and local budgets through ongoing survivor benefit payments; the Appropriations Committee action suggests a need for explicit funding provisions and annual affordability assessments.
  • Policy alignment: The act aligns with broader state objectives to support public safety personnel and their families, potentially complementing existing workers’ compensation or veterans’ benefits programs.
  • Implementation: Successful implementation hinges on clear eligibility rules, consistent administration across agencies, and coordination with federal benefits to maximize total support to survivors.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on a particular aspect (e.g., financial impact, eligibility details, or implementation timeline) or compare it with current Vermont survivor-benefit programs.

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

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