Death Benefits - Line of Duty
Oklahoma EMT & EMR Line of Duty Death Benefit
The Oklahoma State legislature passed HB 2693 in the 2008 session and HB 2551 in the 2010 session, providing for an EMT & EMR Line of Duty Death Benefit. The following are related excerpts from the Oklahoma Statute:
§63-1-2505.1. Emergency medical technician and medical responder death benefit. A. In the event of the death of any licensed emergency medical personnel or a certified emergency medical responder resulting from the official duties of such licensed emergency medical personnel or certified emergency medical responder performed while in the line of duty, the State Department of Health shall pay the designated beneficiary of the deceased the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). B. If the designated beneficiary predeceases the emergency medical personnel or certified emergency medical responder and there is not an alternate or contingent beneficiary, the death benefit shall be payable to the personal representative of the decedent. C. All payments made pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be paid from the Emergency Medical Personnel Death Benefit Revolving Fund created pursuant to Section 1-2505.2 of this title. Added by Laws 2008, c. 43, § 1, eff. July 1, 2008. Amended by Laws 2010, c. 94, § 1, eff. July 1, 2010; Laws 2013, c. 23, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2013.
§63-1-2505.2. Emergency Medical Personnel Death Benefit Revolving Fund. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the State Department of Health to be designated the "Emergency Medical Personnel Death Benefit Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies received by the State Department of Health from the fees imposed pursuant to Section 1-2505.3 of this title. All monies accruing to the credit of said fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the State Department of Health for the purpose of making death benefit payments to the named beneficiary or personal representative of a deceased licensed emergency medical personnel or certified emergency medical responder pursuant to Section 1-2505.1 of this title. Expenditures from said fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for approval and payment. Added by Laws 2008, c. 43, § 2, eff. July 1, 2008. Amended by Laws 2010, c. 94, § 2, eff. July 1, 2010; Laws 2012, c. 304, § 489; Laws 2013, c. 23, § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 2013.
§63-1-2505.3. Application fee – Apportionment to revolving fund. A. In addition to any other fee that may be authorized by law or pursuant to administrative rule of the State Department of Health effective July 1, 2010, there shall be imposed a fee of: 1. Ten Dollars ($10.00) for each original application for licensed emergency medical personnel; 2. Two Dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) for each renewal application for licensed emergency medical personnel; 3. Ten Dollars ($10.00) for each original application for a certified emergency medical responder; and 4. Five Dollars ($5.00) for each renewal application for a certified emergency medical responder. B. The fees authorized by subsection A of this section shall be apportioned to the Emergency Medical Personnel Death Benefit Revolving Fund created pursuant to Section 1-2505.2 of this title. Added by Laws 2008, c. 43, § 3, eff. July 1, 2008. Amended by Laws 2010, c. 94, § 3, eff. July 1, 2010; Laws 2013, c. 23, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 2013.
Each Oklahoma Licensed EMT or Registered EMR should complete the "Line of Duty Death Beneficiary Form", available through the hyperlink below. The form should be held in a safe place, or by the EMT's or EMR's employer. It should be forwarded to the Department upon the death of the EMT or EMR in the line of duty, with a letter explaining the circumstances and requesting the benefit be activated.
Emergency Systems
Oklahoma State Department of Health
123 Robert S Kerr Ave, Suite 1702
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406
Office: (405) 426-8480
Fax: (405) 900-7560 or 4059007560@Xmedius.com (using email)
Esystems@health.ok.gov
