NCJ Number
96472
Date Published
1983
Length
26 pages
Annotation
H.R. 622, a bill to amend title 5 of the United States Code, would provide a $50,000 Federal death benefit to the survivors of a Federal law enforcement officer or firefighter whose death was directly and proximately caused by an outside force in the line of duty.
Abstract
The bill defines Federal 'law enforcement officer' to include a Federal employee whose job includes duties directly connected with the control of crime or juvenile delinquency, the enforcement of criminal laws, or the protection of public buildings or property, Federal officials, or diplomatic missions. Federal firefighters are covered if their duties include performing work directly connected with the control and extinguishing of fires or other emergency operations such as rescue squad work, building destruction, or similar emergency operations. Death benefits paid under this bill are not subject to attachment or execution. The text of the bill is included, and minority views are provided. The minority holds that the bill should be rejected, because (1) adequate death benefits are already provided under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA), (2) the bill makes FECA unfairly discriminatory against all other covered Federal employees, and (3) the bill is technically flawed. An appendix to the minority views is included.