MS HB779

Expands the definition of "cause of death" for the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund to include deaths covered under the Safeguarding America's First Responders Act of 2020, in addition to the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act of 1976 and Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act of 2003

Provides $100,000 death benefit payments to beneficiaries of law enforcement officers and firefighters (including volunteers) who die in the line of duty from covered causes

Transfers $5,000,000 from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund

Requires unexpended amounts transferred from COVID recovery funds to lapse back to the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund at the end of the fiscal year, while other trust fund monies remain available

Death benefit payments are in addition to workers' compensation or pension benefits and are exempt from creditors' claims