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S 5855

Establishes a supplemental burial allowance for certain first responders

2025 Regular Session Introduced by James Skoufis

Creates a supplemental burial allowance for certain first responders, giving funds to families to cover funeral costs and easing the burden after a responder’s death.

REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
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Bill Summary · S 5855

Summary of Bill S 5855 — Supplemental Burial Allowance for Certain First Responders

What the bill is

  • Bill number: S 5855
  • Title: Establishes a supplemental burial allowance for certain first responders
  • Sponsor (primary): James Skoufis
  • Status: Referred to the Senate committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
  • Introduced: March 3, 2025
  • Legislative actions to date: On March 3, 2025, the measure was referred to the stated committee (listed twice in the record, indicating a committee referral event).

What the bill would do (based on the title and available information)

  • The bill intends to create a supplemental burial allowance program specifically for certain first responders. The exact scope, eligibility criteria, benefit amounts, and administration are not specified in the information provided.
  • In general terms, such a program would typically provide financial assistance to cover funeral or burial costs for eligible first responders or their families and would define how benefits are applied for, who qualifies, and how funds are distributed.

Note: Details such as which categories of first responders are covered (e.g., police, firefighters, EMTs), the amount of the allowance, eligibility criteria, application process, administration, funding source, and any coordination with existing benefits are not included in the information provided. The full text of the bill would clarify these elements.

Who would be affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Families and estates of eligible first responders who meet the bill’s criteria.
  • Administrative impact: A state agency or designated department would administer the supplemental burial allowance, handle applications, determine eligibility, and disburse funds.
  • Potential fiscal impact: The program would require state funding or appropriations; details on funding mechanisms and annual costs would be determined in the bill text and any fiscal notes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill has advanced to committee consideration in the Senate and is not yet enacted into law.
  • Typical next steps, contingent on committee action, would include hearings, potential amendments, and votes in the Senate, followed by passage to the Assembly for consideration (and vice versa if a companion bill exists in the other chamber).

Related legislation

  • Related/Sister measures (prior sessions): S 5841, S 791, S 3308
  • Companion bill ( Assembly): A 7961 (noted as a companion in the record)

Notes for readers

  • The current information provides only the bill’s basic purpose and procedural posture. A full, detailed summary will be possible once the bill text and any fiscal notes are released, which would specify eligibility, benefit levels, funding, and administration.

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

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