SB 2181

Present law authorizes the state insurance committee to offer or continue to provide health insurance benefits to the surviving spouse and children of a first responder killed in the line of duty for up to two years. As used in that provision, a "first responder"" means paid, full-time law enforcement officers and firefighters who are employed by the state or a local government in this state. This bill removes the authorization above and, instead, requires the state insurance committee to offer or continue to provide health insurance benefits to the spouse, surviving spouse, and eligible dependent children of a state law enforcement officer, but not a firefighter, who is killed or suffers a catastrophic injury in the line of duty, on or after January 1, 2020. Further, the officer's employer is required to pay the entire premium of the officer's health insurance plan for the officer, and offi ce r's spouse, surviving spouse, and eligible dependent children. As used in this bill:  ""Catastrophic injury"" means a permanent impairment or disability from (i) paraplegia or permanent paralysis of both legs and the lower part of the body, (ii) legal blindness, (iii) loss of use of two or more limbs from any service-connected cause, (iv) an acquired injury to the brain or spinal cord caused by an external physical force, (v) second or third-degree burns, or (vi) injuries to the skin that involve the likelihood of permanent or protracted disfigurement. The term also includes a permanent impairment or disability that is of a nature and severity that would qualify an employee to receive social security disability insurance benefits or supplemental security income.  ""State law enforcement officer"" means a full-time, salaried employee of this state who is a commissioned member of the department of safety, an agent of the Tennessee bureau of investigation, a commissioned employee of the wildlife resources agency engaged in law enforcement activities on a day-to-day basis, a commissioned member of the alcoholic beverage commission who is engaged in law enforcement activities on a day-to-day basis, or a correctional officer vested with the powers of a law enforcement officer by the commissioner of correction . This bill requires the extension of coverage authorized by this bill to terminate if the spouse or surviving spouse is or becomes eligible for insurance coverage through a subsequent marriage. However, if the insurance coverage is terminated for the spo use or surviving spouse, but the spouse or surviving spouse is unable to secure coverage for the eligible dependent children, then coverage may continue for such eligible dependent children. The state insurance committee may establish specific conditions f or extensions of coverage in instances where preexisting conditions may apply during the transfer of coverage. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS I f a local government offers health insurance benefits to paid, full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians who are employed by a local government in this state, then present law authorizes the local government to offer or continue to provide health insurance benefits to the surviving spouse and children, including any unborn child, of such person killed in the line of duty for a period not to exceed two years after the ir death . If a local government offers or provi des such health insurance benefits, the local government must notify the commissioner of finance and administration. This state must reimburse a local government that provides health insurance benefits in accordance with this section in an amount equal to that portion of health insurance premiums or expenses for COBRA coverage for benefits for which the local government is responsible. This bill removes law enforcement officers from the present law above and, instead, requires a political subdivision to offer or continue to provide health insurance benefits to the spouse, surviving spouse, and eligible dependent children of a local law enforcement officer who is killed or suffers a catastrophic injury in the line of duty, on or after January 1, 2020, if the political subdivision offers health insurance benefits to local law enforcement officers. Further, the political subdivision is req uired to pay the entire premium of the officer's health insurance plan for the officer, and officer's spouse, surviving spouse, and eligible dependent children. As used in this bill, a ""local law enforcement officer"" means a full-time, salaried employee of a political subdivision who is a sheriff, sheriff's deputy, police officer, chief of police, or other law enforcement officer whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of crime and apprehension of offen ders, or who is a correctional of ficer with the political subdivision. This bill requires a political subdivision that offers or provides such health insurance benefits to notify the commissioner of finance and administration. The state is required to reimburse a political subdivision for such insurance benefits in an amou nt equal to that portion of health insurance premiums or expenses for COBRA coverage for benefits for which the political subdivision is responsible."