Assemblywoman Quigley and Assemblyman Van Drew First Responder, State Trooper Survivor Benefits Bill Clears Commitee

QUIGLEY/VAN DREW FIRST RESPONDER, STATE TROOPER SURVIVOR BENEFITS BILL CLEARS COMMITTEE

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Labor Committee today released a bill that combines two measures Assembly members Jeff Van Drew and Joan Quigley sponsored to ensure continuing benefits for surviving spouses of first responders and State Police troopers who die in the line of duty.

Under the Quigley and Van Drew measure (A-3589 and A-3556, respectively), spouses of first responders and state troopers would continue to receive workers' compensation for the rest of their lives, even if they remarry.

"The spouses of police and fire personnel who give their lives in the protection of others deserve our life long commitment and gratitude," said Quigley (D-Bergen/Hudson).  "Quality survivor benefits would serve as a testament that the men and women who die in the mission of promoting public safety and saving lives are never forgotten."

"The pain and suffering that wives and husbands go through when first responders and state troopers are killed in the line of duty is unfathomable," said Van Drew (D-Cape May/Atlantic).  "The least we can do is take care of them for the rest of their lives and not deny them benefits if they have a second chance at companionship and happiness."

Under current law, survivors of state troopers and first responders who remarry receive a lump sum settlement equal to two years worth of the deceased's worker's compensation benefits.

Under the new measure, a surviving spouse of a state trooper or first responder would no longer qualify for a lump-sum payment upon remarriage, but would instead receive weekly workers' compensation benefits for the entire period of his or her life.

The bill was released by a unanimous vote.

--30--