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HLS 26RS-1421 REENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 979
BY REPRESENTATIVES WILEY, ADAMS, BACALA, BAGLEY, BAMBURG,
BAYHAM, BILLINGS, BOUDREAUX, BOURRIAQUE, BOYER, BRAUD,
BROUSSARD, BUTLER, CARPENTER, ROBBY CARTER, WILFORD
CARTER, CARVER, CHASSION, COATES, DESHOTEL, DEWITT,
DICKERSON, EDMONSTON, EGAN, FISHER, FONTENOT, FREIBERG,
GLORIOSO, GREEN, DANA HENRY, HILFERTY, HORTON, ILLG, JACKSON,
MIKE JOHNSON, TRAVIS JOHNSON, KERNER, KNOX, LACOMBE,
LAFLEUR, TERRY LANDRY, LYONS, MACK, MARCELLE, MARTINEZ,
MCFARLAND, MELERINE, MILLER, MOORE, MURRAY, OWEN, SAWYER,
SCHLEGEL, SPELL, ST. BLANC, TAYLOR, TURNER, VILLIO, WYBLE, AND
ZERINGUE
LAW ENFORCE/OFFICERS: Increases the benefit paid to survivors of law enforcement
officers and firemen
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 40:1665(C)(1) and 1665.2(C)(1), relative to survivor benefits for
3 certain first responders; to provide for the amount of benefits paid to certain
4 beneficiaries in certain circumstances; to provide for an effective date; and to
5 provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 40:1665(C)(1) and 1665.2(C)(1) are hereby amended and reenacted
8 to read as follows:
9 §1665. Financial security for surviving spouses and children of firemen in certain
10 cases
11 * * *
12 C.(1) In any case in which a fireman suffers death as a result of an injury
13 arising out of and in the course of the performance of his official duties as a fireman,
14 or arising out of any activity while on or off duty, in his capacity as a fireman, in the
15 protection of life and property, the sum of two hundred fifty four hundred and four
16 thousand dollars shall be paid to the surviving spouse of the fireman or, if not
17 survived by a spouse, the sum of two hundred fifty four hundred and four thousand
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HLS 26RS-1421 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 979
1 dollars shall be paid to the surviving child or children or, if not survived by a spouse
2 nor a child or children, then the sum of two hundred fifty four hundred and four
3 thousand dollars shall be paid to the named beneficiary listed on the fireman's
4 designation form or, if there is no beneficiary designation form at the time of the
5 fireman's death, and no surviving spouse nor a child or children, then the sum of two
6 hundred fifty four hundred and four thousand dollars shall be paid to the fireman's
7 estate. Each fireman shall complete a beneficiary designation form. In addition, if the
8 fireman is survived by a dependent child or children, the sum of fifty thousand
9 dollars shall be paid for each of the dependent children, such sums to be paid to the
10 duly appointed and qualified tutor or the legal representative of the child or children.
11 Payment shall be made by the state risk manager out of the Self-Insurance Fund
12 created in R.S. 39:1533(A).
13 * * *
14 §1665.2. Financial security for surviving spouses and children of law enforcement
15 officers in certain cases
16 * * *
17 C.(1) In any case in which a law enforcement officer suffers death as a result
18 of any injury arising out of and in the course of the performance of his official duties
19 as such officer, or arising out of any activity, while on or off duty, in his capacity as
20 a law enforcement officer, in the protection of life or property, the sum of two
21 hundred fifty four hundred and four thousand dollars shall be paid to the surviving
22 spouse of each officer or, if not survived by a spouse, the sum of two hundred fifty
23 four hundred and four thousand dollars shall be paid to the surviving child or
24 children or, if not survived by a spouse nor a child or children, then the sum of two
25 hundred fifty four hundred and four thousand dollars shall be paid to the named
26 beneficiary listed on the officer's beneficiary designation form or, if there is no
27 designation form at the time of the officer's death, and no surviving spouse nor a
28 child or children, then the sum of two hundred fifty four hundred and four thousand
29 dollars shall be paid to the officer's estate. Each officer shall complete a beneficiary
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HLS 26RS-1421 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 979
1 designation form. In addition, if the officer is survived by a dependent child or
2 children, the sum of fifty thousand dollars shall be paid for each of the dependent
3 children, such sums to be paid to the duly appointed and qualified tutor or the legal
4 representative of the child or children. Payment shall be made by the state risk
5 manager out of the Self-Insurance Fund created in R.S. 39:1533(A).
6 * * *
7 Section 2. This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2026; if vetoed by the governor
8 and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become effective on July 1,
9 2026, or on the day following such approval by the legislature, whichever is later.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 979 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Wiley
Abstract: Increases from $250,000 to $404,000 the benefits paid by the state to survivors
of qualifying firemen and law enforcement officers.
Present law establishes state-paid survivor benefits for firemen and law enforcement
officers. Establishes qualifications for these payments.
Present law provides for payment of $250,000 to a qualifying survivor if certain conditions
are met. Proposed law increases this payment to $404,000.
Effective July 1, 2026.
(Amends R.S. 40:1665(C)(1) and 1665.2(C)(1))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Increase the benefits payment from $350,000 to $404,000.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.