MarylandSB 03962025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Public Safety Officer - Performance of Duties - Death Benefits

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Death benefits for 9-1-1 workers’ families

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland includes 9-1-1 specialists in its state death benefit program. Covered deaths must occur while performing duties on or after January 1, 2006. The benefit has a $125,000 base amount, adjusted annually using the Consumer Price Index. A surviving spouse, child, dependent parent, or estate can receive the payment. Applications generally must be filed within three years after death; the law does not automatically reopen all older claims.

Easier survivor claims after duty-related suicide

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland presumes certain suicide deaths resulted from an injury suffered while performing duties. This helps survivors of people covered by the death benefit program, including 9-1-1 specialists, establish eligibility. A licensed medical or mental health professional must have diagnosed the person before death. The diagnosis must be post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, or another trauma- and stress-related disorder. The condition must have resulted from the nature and performance of the person’s duties.

Narrower special death-benefit awards for survivors

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland narrows the grounds for special, case-by-case death-benefit awards. The Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services cannot approve an award based only on someone’s intent to cause their own death. Other ways to qualify remain, including the separate presumption for qualifying duty-related suicide deaths.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Mike McKay
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Joanne C. Benson
Democratic • Senate
M. Jackson
Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 183 • No: 0

House vote • 4/7/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 139 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/17/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 44 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 573
5/13/2025
Returned Passed
4/7/2025Senate
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
4/7/2025House
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
4/4/2025House
Favorable Report by Appropriations
4/4/2025House
Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m.
3/19/2025House
Referred Appropriations
3/17/2025House
Third Reading Passed (44-0)
3/17/2025Senate
Second Reading Passed with Amendments
3/14/2025Senate
Favorable with Amendments {563125/1 Adopted
3/14/2025Senate
Motion Laid Over (Senator Kagan) Adopted
3/14/2025Senate
Favorable with Amendments {563125/1
3/14/2025Senate
Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation
3/14/2025Senate
Hearing 2/05 at 2:00 p.m. (Budget and Taxation)
1/30/2025Senate
Hearing canceled (Budget and Taxation)
1/30/2025Senate
Hearing 2/05 at 1:00 p.m. (Budget and Taxation)
1/23/2025Senate
First Reading Budget and Taxation and Judicial Proceedings
1/20/2025Senate

Bill Text

Enacted
5/13/2025
PDF
Third Reading
3/14/2025
PDF
First Reading
1/20/2025
PDF

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