S0850, the “Honor Our First Responders Act,” creates a new state-law benefit for the families of first responders who die in the line of duty. It adds Section 1-11-735 to the South Carolina Code to require continued health insurance coverage under the State Health Plan for the surviving spouse and dependent children of an eligible first responder for three years after the death. The bill defines covered first responders broadly to include law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel, including volunteer and part-time service in many cases.
The bill also specifies that the State will pay the full premium cost for this coverage, with no cost-sharing required from the family, the employing agency, or any political subdivision. The Public Employee Benefit Authority would administer the benefit, verify eligibility, and enroll survivors, while the General Assembly would be required to appropriate funds annually to cover the program. After the three-year subsidized period ends, a surviving spouse may elect to continue coverage at the applicable non-active group rate, without state subsidy and without evidence of insurability.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would expand South Carolina law by creating a new statutory health-insurance entitlement for certain survivors of first responders killed in the line of duty. It would directly affect the State Health Plan, the Public Employee Benefit Authority, state budget appropriations, and potentially local agencies that employ first responders, though the bill expressly bars them from paying any premium costs. The measure would also establish a formal definition of eligible first responders and line-of-duty death for purposes of this benefit.
Sentiment
The available context shows no recorded committee debate or votes, so there is no documented opposition or support in the materials provided. Based on the bill text, the measure appears to be framed as a supportive, honorific benefit for public safety families, with an emphasis on providing financial and health coverage security after a tragic death in service. The overall tone of the legislation is sympathetic and protective toward first responders and their dependents.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are fiscal and administrative rather than ideological. The bill requires the State to pay all premium costs and mandates annual appropriations, which could raise budget concerns. Another possible issue is the breadth of the definitions, especially the inclusion of volunteer, part-time, reserve, and paid-on-call personnel, which may prompt questions about eligibility boundaries and verification of line-of-duty deaths. The optional continuation coverage for surviving spouses after the subsidized period may also require clarification in administration and pricing.
Similar To
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "HONOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-300 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP HEALTH PLAN MUST PROVIDE COVERAGE UNDER THE SAME TERMS AND CONDITIONS TO THE SPOUSE OR DEPENDENT OF A FIRST RESPONDER COVERED BY SUCH A PLAN IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; BY AMENDING SECTION 1-3-470, RELATING TO LOWERING FLAGS UPON DEATH IN THE LINE OF DUTY, SO AS TO ADD AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN; BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-1172 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A FIRST RESPONDER RETIREMENT INCOME DEDUCTION; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-6-1170, RELATING TO THE RETIREMENT INCOME TAX DEDUCTION, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-220, RELATING TO GENERAL EXEMPTION FROM TAXES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A QUALIFIED SURVIVING SPOUSE ALSO MEANS CERTAIN SURVIVING SPOUSES OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-111-110, RELATING TO WAIVED TUITION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE CHILDREN OF CERTAIN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS ALSO QUALIFY FOR CERTAIN WAIVED TUITION.
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A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "HONOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 1-11-735 SO AS TO PROVIDE STATE-FUNDED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE SURVIVING SPOUSES AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN OF FIRST RESPONDERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY; TO DEFINE ELIGIBLE FIRST RESPONDERS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR ADMINISTRATION, FUNDING, AND OPTIMAL CONTINUATION OF COVERAGE.