Senate Bill 170 Summary

• Requires local government units to offer and pay for health insurance coverage for public safety employees (police officers, county police officers, and sheriffs) who become disabled in the line of duty, effective July 1, 2011.

• Extends coverage to the disabled employee's spouse or surviving spouse, and natural, step, or adopted children until age 18 (or 23 if enrolled in secondary school or college, or longer if permanently disabled).

• Defines "disabled in the line of duty" as a disability resulting from personal injury or illness caused by incidents, accidents, or violence occurring during the course of the employee's authorized duties or crime control activities.

• Specifies that health insurance coverage must equal that offered to active public safety employees and remain available as long as beneficiaries meet eligibility requirements.

• Establishes eligibility termination conditions including when the employee is no longer disabled, becomes eligible for Medicare, or when the local unit terminates its health insurance program for active employees.