| Kentucky
EMS Line of Duty Death Benefit - Kentucky House Bill 153 |
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| Kentucky
currently does not provide a Line-Of-Duty-Death Benefit to Emergency
Medical Services responders. The Kentucky Ambulance Providers
Association has been working since 2008 to extend the same valuable
benefit provided to law enforcement and the fire service to all EMS
responders killed in the line of duty. Kentucky House Bill 153, introduced on Dec. 17, 2009 for the 2010 Kentucky Legislative Session by Rep. David Floyd, would amend KRS 61.315 and extend the Kentucky Line-Of-Duty-Death Benefit to every paid or volunteer emergency responder who is employed by or volunteers his or her services to an ambulance service licensed pursuant to KRS Chapter 311A. The benefit includes a lump-sum payment of $80,000 to the surviving spouse and children of an EMS responder killed as a direct result of an act in the line of duty. An additional $25,000 may be awarded under 346.155. Free tuition at a state-supported school for survivors of a covered EMS responder would be available under 164.2842. House Bill 153 currently has 22 sponsors:
Please contact your representative and ask them for their support. If you
live in a district where your Representative is already signed on as a
sponsor, please send them your thanks. |
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| The Bill: HB 153 | The full text of the Kentucky EMS Line-Of-Duty Death Benefit Bill, HB 153, from the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission Internet site. This is the official version of the bill. | ||||
| Status of HB 153 |
HB 153 is currently in the House
Appropriations and Revenue Committee. Check for updates |
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| How a Bill becomes law | It's a complicated and lengthy process to turn a bill into a law. Learn how a bill becomes a law in Kentucky. | ||||
| Legislative Calendar | Monthly
Calendar The 2010 Legislative Session began on Jan. 5 and is scheduled to end Apr. 13. The session is limited to 60 days but there are things that can happen that can change the ending date. On Jan. 19, Gov. Beshear presents his budget to lawmakers. Mar. 1 is the last day for House Bills to be filed, and Mar. 3 is the last day for Senate bills to be filed. Mar. 29 is the final day before veto recess. On Apr. 12, lawmakers return to deal with any vetoes. Weekly Calendar HB 153 is currently in the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee. Check the Weekly Calendar to learn if hearings or votes have been scheduled for our bill. |
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| Who
are my legislators? and How do I contact them? |
Elected
Senators and Representatives want to hear from their constituents,
i.e., voters who they represent. You can best help this bill by
contacting your legislators and letting them know how important passage
of this bill is to you and your family. Use this link to identify your
legislator by county and learn their mailing address, phone numbers, and
e-mail addresses. You can also send e-mail to the Legislative In-Box. The LRC will identify your legislators and forward your message to them. You can also call 800-372-7181 and leave a message. The LRC will identify your legislators and forward your message to them. |
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| Fiscal Impact |
The fiscal impact of the bill on local governments
is expected to be minimal or nil.
Death benefits will be paid from the state’s general expenditure fund. Local
governments will not bear any of these costs. Although
unlikely, it is possible that administrative regulations required to be
promulgated under the bill by the Board of Emergency Medical Services would
impose minimal additional costs on local governments. These costs, if they
occur, would likely relate to reporting or clerical requirements. As a
comparison, existing regulations related to death benefits for fire fighters do
not appear to impose any costs on local governments. |
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| Mark your calendars, invite your legislators, and join us at the Provider's Legislative Reception on Feb 24, 6 pm, in the Caucus Room at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort. | |||||
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Helpful Tools |
Tools you can use to help you ask your local Legislators to support House Bill 153. | ||||
| Talking Points Overview | A list of Talking Points, on KAPA letterhead, that you can print and take with you when you visit your local Legislator. Having a unified message is important and we encourage everyone to stick with the Talking Points. You may leave this document with your Legislator for reference. | ||||
| Kentucky EMS Responders killed in the Line-Of-Duty | A listing of Kentucky EMS providers killed in the line of duty. This list also identifies those who may have qualified for another LODD benefit, and those who died on or after July 1, 2002, who may qualify for retroactive benefits under BR 494 (subject to enactment of the final administrative regulations to be promulgated by the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services as called for by BR 494). | ||||
| Letter Template | Copy the text from this template into any word processing software, make some personal changes, and mail to your legislator. Letters from constituents have the greatest impact. | ||||
| Statement of Support | Download this Statement of Support, print multiple copies, and take to a populated area such as a shopping mall or church event (with prior permission from those who control the location). Ask local voters to sign this statement of support. When you are done, please make copies and mail or personally deliver to your local legislators (both Representative and Senators). | ||||