HB 23 Summary

• Establishes the peace officer and firefighter survivors' fund in the Department of Public Safety to pay medical insurance premiums for surviving spouses and dependent children of peace officers or firefighters who die in the line of duty.

• Creates two separate accounts within the fund: a state employee survivor account funded by appropriations and donations, and a municipal employee survivor account funded by municipal contributions, appropriations, and donations.

• Provides that surviving spouses are eligible for premium payments for up to 10 years or until they become eligible for Medicare or other major medical insurance, while dependent children are eligible until age 26 or until they obtain other major medical coverage.

• Allows municipalities to elect to participate in the fund by entering into an agreement with the commissioner and making required contributions based on anticipated costs.

• Enables Alaska residents to direct a portion of their permanent fund dividend to the peace officer and firefighter survivors' fund through the annual application process, with 7 percent of contributions reserved for administrative costs.