MS HB1697

Authorizes municipalities, counties, state agencies, boards, commissions, and public universities/colleges to adopt policies paying full regular compensation to beneficiaries of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians killed in the line of duty for up to 60 days.

Defines covered individuals as those receiving monetary compensation as law enforcement officers, firefighters (including volunteers), or licensed emergency medical technicians employed by non-private entities.

Limits eligibility to deaths resulting from covered causes under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act of 1976, Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act of 2003, or Safeguarding America's First Responders Act of 2020, excluding suicides and intentionally self-inflicted injuries.

Requires payment to be made within one day of death to a designated beneficiary, or if none designated, to surviving spouse and children equally, then parents, then the estate.

Payment is in addition to workers' compensation, pension benefits, and other payments, and is exempt from creditors' claims.