By Suzie Ziegler
WASHINGTON — On Friday, President Donald Trump signed into law a bill that extends disability and death benefits to public safety officers who die as a result of COVID-19.
In a press release Friday, the White House announced that bill S. 3607 had been signed. The law, which extends the benefits under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program, also covers any officer who becomes injured as a result of COVID-19.
The law also affirms that deaths related to COVID-19 will be presumed line of duty deaths if the following criteria are met:
- The officer engaged in a line of duty action or activity between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021;
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The officer was diagnosed with COVID–19 (or evidence indicates that the officer had COVID–19) during the 45-day period beginning on the last day of duty of the officer; and
- Evidence indicates that the officer had COVID–19 (or complications therefrom) at the time of the officer’s death.