Senator Monica R. Martinez's bill S.4711 has passed the Senate, ensuring timely payment of death benefits for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers who die in the line of duty. The bill amends Section 7 of the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law and the Volunteer Ambulance Workers' Benefit Law, mandating payment of benefits within ninety days upon the filing of application.
"Delaying payment of death benefits causes significant financial and emotional distress to the beneficiaries of our volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers," said Senator Martinez. "It's unacceptable for families to wait over six months to receive the compensation they are entitled to. This legislation will provide much-needed relief to those who have lost loved ones in service to their communities."
The bill encourages communication and coordination between volunteer fire and ambulance service organizations, workers' compensation boards, volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers and their families to work together and determine whether a death or injury occurred in the line of duty. This process can be a long and daunting one and this legislation will remove the burden of excessive delays in payment.
"I'm proud to have sponsored this bill and grateful for the support of my colleagues in the Legislature," said Senator Martinez. "Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. It's our duty to ensure their families are taken care of in the event of a tragedy."