Jackson, Miss. — In a press release dated March 5, Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann announced the Mississippi State Senates’ approval of Bill 2523 benefiting the families of Mississippi first responders.
Hosemann mentioned the proposed legislation in a February 17 appearance before local law enforcement personnel at the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center.
Hosemann said then, “I hope of course it’ll never be used, but when you look at the economy of the world today and you have a young mom with two children, $100,000 is not going to go very far raising that family,”
Under the bill that was unanimously approved by the Mississippi Senate on March 4, beneficiaries of a law enforcement officer or firefighter killed in the line of duty would receive a $200,000 payment.
Senate Bill 2523 doubles the State’s current death benefit payment of $100,000. Benefits are paid from a Trust Fund receiving vehicle tag and renewal fees honoring law enforcement officers.
Indianola Fire Chief Orlando Battle said, “I think it would be a tremendous help to a lot of families that don’t have that extra relief.” He said a lot of those affected by this bill do not have adequate insurance to cover their families in the event of loss of life. “You run in to that a lot,” he said.
Like Hosemann, Battle hopes that no one would ever need to use the benefit. “But, it’s good to have,” he said.
“Because of the nature of their jobs, our law enforcement officers and firefighters are in harm’s way every day,” Hosemann said. “First, we need to respect them and keep them as safe as possible, and second, we need to take care of their families — just like they take care of ours.”
To track Senate Bill 2523’s progress, visit: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2020/pdf/history/SB/SB2523.xml. To learn more about Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann, visit www.ltgovhosemann.ms.gov.
