Comptroller Sean Scanlon Calls For Expansion Of Fallen Officer Fund
Testifies in support of proposed legislation and encourages inclusion of all first responders
(HARTFORD, CT) – Comptroller Sean Scanlon today testified before the Connecticut General Assembly’s Public Safety and Security Committee in support of Senate Bill 1239, An Act Concerning A Fallen Officer and Firefighter Fund and Providing Health Insurance Coverage to Survivors of a Firefighter Killed in the Line of Duty.
In addition to testifying in favor of the legislation, Comptroller Scanlon is recommending the legislature rename the program to the Fallen Hero Fund and extend coverage to emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics.
“Police, firefighters, and emergency medical first responders put their lives on the line every day for the safety of Connecticut residents. It’s important that we are there for them and their families in the tragic instance of a line-of-duty death.” said Comptroller Scanlon. “I applaud the legislature taking the first step to propose the expansion of this Fund to firefighters, and I hope we can work together to give all first responders’ families this added security they deserve and are entitled to.”
The Fallen Officer Fund was codified last year, when Governor Lamont signed into law Public Act 24-27, An Act Establishing a Fallen Officer Fund and Providing Health Insurance Coverage to Survivors of a Police Officer Killed in the Line of Duty. The Fund provides a lump sum, non-taxable payment totaling $100,000 to the surviving beneficiaries of any Connecticut police officer killed in the line of duty or who sustained injuries that are the cause of an officer’s death.
At the advice of Comptroller Scanlon, last year’s legislation also expanded the Fund to provide family members who were covered by a fallen officer’s health insurance at the time of their death to remain on that coverage for up to five years.
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