FL S0136

Establishes additional death benefits for surviving spouses, children, and joint annuitants of state-employed law enforcement officers, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, and firefighters killed on or after July 1, 2015.

Surviving spouses receive 50 percent of the officer's monthly salary for the lesser of their lifetime or 300 months; if the spouse dies before receiving 300 payments, remaining benefits transfer to eligible children up to age 25 (or older if disabled or enrolled full-time in college).

Benefits are paid through the State Risk Management Trust Fund via a separate account within the Department of Financial Services, with costs retroactively charged as premium assessments to state agencies and universities similar to workers' compensation coverage.

Monthly benefit payments commence 60 days after the Department of Management Services notifies the Division of Risk Management of the officer's death and provides beneficiary information.

Allows municipalities and charter counties to provide death benefits under home rule authority, and permits other political subdivisions to offer death benefits not exceeding those specified in the bill.