Senate Bill 2065 Summary

• Expands the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund to include emergency management agency personnel employed by state or federally authorized emergency management agencies.

• Adds emergency management agency personnel to the disability benefits program, making them eligible for monthly disability payments equal to 34% of base salary for job-related injuries (up to 12 months per injury).

• Defines emergency management agency personnel as individuals performing emergency management functions that protect health and safety in Mississippi and employed by authorized emergency management agencies.

• Establishes that death benefits of $65,000 are payable to designated beneficiaries (or surviving family members) when covered individuals, including emergency management personnel, are killed or fatally injured while performing official duties.

• Effective July 1, 2013.