IL HB3249

Employers must pay the entire health insurance premium for law enforcement, correctional, correctional probation officers, and firefighters who suffer catastrophic injury or are killed in the line of duty on or after the effective date.

Coverage extends to the injured employee's spouse and dependent children until age of majority, or until age 25 if the child remains dependent or is a full-time or part-time student.

If the injured employee subsequently dies, the employer continues paying premiums for the surviving spouse until remarriage and for dependent children under the same conditions.

Individuals receiving premium-paid coverage may choose from any health insurance plan available to currently employed officers and firefighters, with plan changes for state plans limited to open enrollment or qualifying events.

Making false or fraudulent statements to obtain coverage is a Class A misdemeanor, and convicted individuals forfeit benefits and must reimburse the employer for all payments made.