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AZ SB1136
Bill
Status
Engrossed
3/3/2026
Primary Sponsor
David Gowan
Click for details
AI Summary
- Eliminates the remarriage penalty for surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty, allowing them to continue receiving workers' compensation death benefits even if they remarry
- Defines "first responder" as peace officers, firefighters, paramedics, and volunteer first responders operating in an official capacity for a governmental entity during emergency or law enforcement responses
- Applies retroactively to spouses of first responders who lost benefits due to remarriage on or after January 1, 2000, though only prospective benefits are available with no retroactive payments
- Maintains existing rules for non-first responder survivors, who continue to receive a lump sum equal to two years' compensation upon remarriage in lieu of ongoing benefits
- Preserves death benefit structure of 66⅔% of deceased's average monthly wage for surviving spouse without children, or 35% for spouse plus 31⅔% divided among children
Legislative Description
Workers' compensation; death benefits; remarriage
Workers' Compensation
Last Action
House consent calendar
3/16/2026
Committee Referrals
Rules3/3/2026
Government3/3/2026
Rules1/15/2026
Finance1/15/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available