HB3815 - COVID-19 Death Benefit

• Establishes COVID-19 Family Assistance Program administered by Illinois Department of Public Health to provide $25,000 lump-sum payments to families of persons who die from COVID-19.

• Requires applications to be filed under oath within one year of the death, with payments subject to annual appropriation (fiscal year 2022 for 2020 deaths; fiscal year 2023 for 2021 deaths).

• Amends the Line of Duty Compensation Act to provide a $50,000 benefit to health care workers who die as a result of COVID-19, with claims filed within one year of death.

• Defines health care worker to include physicians, nurses, technicians, emergency medical personnel, laboratory workers, and support staff such as dietary, housekeeping, and security personnel potentially exposed to infectious diseases.

• Terminates compensation for COVID-19 deaths occurring after expiration of all Executive Orders issued by the Governor declaring a COVID-19 emergency.