FL S7098

Increases death benefits for law enforcement, correctional, correctional probation officers, and firefighters from $50,000 to $75,000 for accidental deaths and from $150,000 to $225,000 for unlawful/intentional killings, effective July 1, 2019.

Removes the annual cost-of-living adjustment provision that previously indexed death benefit amounts to the Consumer Price Index.

Establishes new death benefit program for emergency medical technicians and paramedics: $75,000 for accidental deaths and $75,000 additional for emergency response deaths, and $225,000 for unlawful/intentional killings.

Creates educational expense waiver benefit for surviving spouses and children of first responders (law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics) killed on or after July 1, 2019, covering up to 120 credit hours of tuition and fees at state educational institutions.

Establishes $75,000 death benefit for active duty U.S. Armed Forces members killed while on duty, plus $25,000 for other duty-related deaths, with educational expense waivers for survivors; funded through General Revenue Fund.