Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police
PO Box 9494
South Burlington, VT 05407

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019

News Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected] 

Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police Endorse Benefits for Survivors of Law Enforcement Bill

HINESBURG, VERMONT — The Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police (VACOP) has endorsed a bill that would offer police officers’ families the same monetary benefits already available to the surviving families of their fire and EMS colleagues.

Bill H.66, sponsored by Rep. Michael Yantachka and Rep. Laura Sibilia, underwent it’s first reading before the Legislature on Jan. 23 and has been referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

If passed, the bill would provide a one time $50,000 benefit to the survivors of any law enforcement officer certified by the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council that dies either in the line of duty or following an occupation related illness.

It is the third time a bill has been proposed to the Legislature seeking to amend the existing law to include law enforcement officers.

“The law already allows the survivors of firefighters and EMS providers to receive a one time monetary death benefit, should there be a death while that person is performing their duty to protect and save lives,” said Newport Police Chief Seth DiSanto, Vice President of VACOP. “The families of law enforcement should be offered the same, should they ever fall victim to a tragedy while on duty.”

In addition to amending the current law to include the survivors of law enforcement officers, the bill would also add the Executive Director of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council and a member of the public appointed by the governor to the benefit review board that oversees whether a family qualifies for the benefit.

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