Families of law enforcement officers and firefighters will receive death benefits

JACKSON, Ms. (WCBI) – Families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who died after becoming infected with COVID-19 in the line of duty will receive full state health benefits.

Gov. Tate Reeves signed Bill 779 to the House of Representatives at a ceremony earlier today.

The law will take $ 5 million from the State Fiscal Fund for Coronavirus Recovery and place it in the Trust Fund for Death and Firefighters’ Compensation to support the families of COVID-19 victims after contracting the disease in the workplace.

The Ministry of Public Safety will manage the trust fund and distribute death benefits.