U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) on May 5 introduced a bipartisan bill that would extend public safety officer death benefits to public safety officers whose death is caused by COVID–19.
“As North Carolinians continue staying inside to keep themselves and their families safe from COVID-19,” said Sen. Tillis, “our brave first responders simply do not have that option.”
Sen. Tillis is among 15 cosponsors of the Safeguarding America’s First Responders (SAFR) Act of 2020, S. 3607, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), to also clarify the certification requirements for survivor benefits under the Public Safety Officers Benefits Program, according to a bill summary provided by his office.
“I will never stop fighting for our heroes, which is why I am proud to work with my colleagues across the aisle to ensure family members of every first responder lost to coronavirus has quick access to the benefits they deserve,” said Sen. Tillis, who was joined by cosponsors including U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
The federal Public Safety Officers Benefits Program provides death benefits to survivors of police officers and first responders who die in the line of duty or as the result of a work-related event, according to Sen. Tillis’ statement, which noted that the program requires evidence linking deaths caused by an infectious disease to work-related activity, which can be difficult to determine during a pandemic.
The bill, if enacted, would establish a temporary presumption that COVID-19 infections would be considered to be contracted while on duty if diagnosed within 45 days of an officer’s last shift, among other provisions, according to the bill summary.
“The purpose of this Act is to establish a carefully drawn framework wherein claims under the Public Safety Officers Benefits Program, arising under the unique circumstances [of COVID-19] can be processed expeditiously and under fair and clear standards,” according to the bill’s text.
The bill is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Officers, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Sergeants Benevolent Association of New York, and the National Association of School Resource Officers.