Mississippi governor signs first responder death benefits bill

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves on Saturday signed into law a bill that authorizes local governments to provide 60 days of pay to the beneficiaries of certain first responders who die in the line of duty.

The governor signed House Bill 1697, which enables counties, municipalities, public universities and others to pay the full compensation of any law enforcement officer, firefighter or emergency medical technician who is killed on the job.

The benefits would not be paid out in the event the on-duty death was a suicide. 

Death compensation benefits would be paid to designated beneficiaries, and if there is none the compensation would be given to either surviving spouses, children or parents in equal portions.

The law says that the compensation would be in addition to any workers compensation or pension benefits or other payments to which the deceased worker was entitled.

The law was set to take effect immediately.