VT S0089

Expands eligibility for survivor benefits to include law enforcement officers, Department of Corrections facility employees, Family Services Division employees, and employees of State-operated therapeutic community residences or inpatient psychiatric hospital units who die in the line of duty or from occupation-related illness

Known as "Jessica's Law," the bill amends existing emergency personnel survivor benefit statutes to add these four new categories of covered workers

Defines "line of duty" specifically for each new category: law enforcement officers are covered when responding to complaints or disorders; Corrections, Family Services, and psychiatric facility employees are covered while discharging their duties as employees

Benefits are paid to surviving spouse first, then surviving children equally, then surviving parent(s); no benefit is awarded if no spouse, children, or parents survive

Effective date: July 1, 2025