Senate approves extending benefits for families of police killed in line of duty

SB404, now going to the Assembly for approval, was sponsored by Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, and cosponsored by all other senators.

"This allows the spouse and children to participate in the health insurance if a police officer is killed in line of duty," said James. "It's a fiscal note we're happy to pay."

But he added, "Does the bill go far enough and cover every police officer and firefighter in the state? No. But it is a good first step."

Sen. Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas, supported the bill but added that it won't cover 1,800 professional firefighters, 2,500 volunteer firefighters, and 2,500 peace officers in Henderson, North Las Vegas, Las Vegas Metro Police Department and numerous other sheriffs' offices.

"I hope this legislation can eventually be expanded to cover them," she said. As it stands, the bill applies only to police covered under the state's health insurance plan.

James said he'd like to see more coverage, but "we have to be judicious with the resources of the state. I would be happy to support covering all those people in future legislation."

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