MD HB76

Public safety officers diagnosed with PTSD, acute stress disorder, or trauma-related disorders due to job duties who die by suicide are presumed to have died in the line of duty for death benefit eligibility

9-1-1 specialists are added to the list of public safety personnel eligible for the $125,000 death benefit (adjusted annually for inflation) when killed or dying in performance of duties

Death benefits apply to law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, rescue squad members, State Fire Marshal members, public safety aviation employees, hazardous material response team employees, military members serving in Afghanistan/Iraq, and now 9-1-1 specialists

Funeral expense benefit is up to $25,000, adjusted annually for inflation starting fiscal year 2026

Effective date is October 1, 2025