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HB 2644

LINE OF DUTY COMP-VOLUNTEERS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Marty McLaughlin

Expands line-of-duty death benefits in Illinois to volunteers and animal control staff, with updated amounts, filing deadlines, and beneficiary priorities.

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Bill Summary · HB 2644

Summary — HB 2644 (Line of Duty Compensation / Volunteers & House Amendment No. 1)

Note on sources: The legislative text you provided contains material from two different bills both labeled HB 2644 (one from Arizona concerning rainwater harvesting and one from Illinois concerning the Line of Duty Compensation Act). This summary focuses on the Line of Duty Compensation Act changes (the bill titled "LINE OF DUTY COMP‑VOLUNTEERS" and the House Amendment No. 1), which match the title and the actions listed. I note the Arizona rainwater harvesting text appears unrelated to the Line of Duty subject.

Purpose and intent

The bill amends the Illinois Line of Duty Compensation Act to broaden who qualifies as a “law enforcement officer” (and related covered classifications) so that volunteers performing law‑enforcement or public‑safety tasks for state or local government are eligible for line‑of‑duty death benefits. The House Amendment No. 1 clarifies and expands covered personnel (adding animal control officers and animal wardens) and revises provisions governing duty death benefits (claims, amounts, adjustment and payment priority).

Key provisions

  • Expanded definition of “law enforcement officer / officer”:

    • Now includes any person employed by, or working as a volunteer for, the State or a local governmental entity in positions involving enforcement of the law and protection of the public interest at risk to life.
    • Specifically mentions volunteers assisting with parking and traffic.
    • House Amendment No. 1 adds "animal control officer" and "animal warden" to the list of recognized covered classifications.

  • Duty death benefit (Section 3, as amended):

    • Filing deadlines: A claim must be made within 2 years of the date of death for covered categories (special deadline rules for certain Armed Forces members and a transitional filing window for deaths occurring 2016–2020 allowing claims through Dec 31, 2022).
    • Benefit amounts by date of death:
    • $10,000 for deaths before Jan 1, 1974
    • $20,000 for deaths 1974–Jun 30, 1983
    • $50,000 for deaths Jul 1, 1983–Dec 31, 1995
    • $100,000 for deaths Jan 1, 1996–May 17, 2001
    • $118,000 for deaths May 18, 2001–Jun 30, 2002
    • $259,038 for deaths Jul 1, 2002–Dec 31, 2002
    • For deaths on/after Jan 1, 2003 the rate is indexed annually by the U.S. City Average Consumer Price Index (12‑month change ending in June of the prior calendar year).
    • Armed Forces members have special computation rules described in the statute (continuation of existing methodology).
    • Priority of payment if no designated beneficiary: specifies distribution order (spouse; descendants per stirpes; parents; dependent siblings/descendants) and investigatory process for dependency determinations.
    • Payment to beneficiary or estate if no other payee exists (language retained/clarified).

  • Definitions: The amendment adds explicit language defining "animal control officer" or "animal warden" as state or local employees who enforce animal regulations and protect public health and safety.

Who is affected

  • Volunteers who serve in roles involving law‑enforcement or public safety for state or local governments (including parking/traffic volunteers, animal control officers/wardens) — they become eligible for line‑of‑duty death benefits.
  • Survivors and designated beneficiaries of such volunteers and existing covered workers.
  • State and local governments — potential increase in the number of eligible claims and fiscal exposure for duty death compensation.
  • Attorney General / courts — role retained for dependency investigations when beneficiaries are unclear.

Procedural status (high level)

  • Introduced: early February 2025 (Illinois sponsor: Rep. Martin McLaughlin).
  • House Amendment No. 1 filed 3/13/2025 (adds animal control officers/wardens and the duty‑death benefit text).
  • Readings and committee referrals occurred in Feb–Mar 2025 (Referred to Rules Committee; Assigned to Personnel & Pensions; Re‑referred under Rule 19).
  • Current status per your record: House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re‑referred to Rules Committee.

Potential impact

  • Policy: Broadens statutory protection for volunteers performing public‑safety tasks, recognizing volunteer risk comparable to paid officers for fatal incidents.
  • Fiscal: Expands the pool of eligible beneficiaries; could increase state and local financial obligations depending on claim frequency and whether volunteer deaths occur in qualifying circumstances.
  • Administrative: Agencies will need to update definitions, claims handling, outreach to volunteers and employers, and possibly record‑keeping and benefit processing rules.

If you want, I can:
- Produce a redlined comparison showing exact statutory text changes,
- Estimate budgetary impacts based on historical claim rates, or
- Draft a one‑page handout for stakeholders (courts, municipal HR, volunteer organizations).

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

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