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. If t...