HB187 Summary

• Amends Alabama workers' compensation law to provide retroactive benefits to surviving spouses and dependent children of law enforcement officers and firefighters who died on or after January 1, 2018, from injuries sustained in the line of duty.

• Surviving spouses of such officers/firefighters continue receiving compensation upon remarriage, whereas compensation normally ceases upon remarriage for other dependents.

• Dependent children of deceased law enforcement officers or firefighters are entitled to continue receiving benefits until age 18, rather than the standard 500-week limitation.

• Employer must pay a one-time lump sum of $7,500 to the deceased worker's estate within 60 days if the worker has no dependents at the time of death.

• Effective date is the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.