HB 1044: Insurance coverage for public safety employees.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Provides that a public safety employee who: (1) becomes disabled on or after January 1, 2020; (2) receives a Class 1 or a Class 2 impairment benefit; and (3) is eligible for group health insurance coverage for the public safety employee and the public safety employee's spouse or dependents; must pay no more than the amount that the public safety employee would have been required to pay if still serving as a current active public safety employee employed by the local unit public employer. Specifies that the public safety employee must file a written request for insurance coverage with the employer before June 1, 2026, or within 90 days after the public safety employee begins receiving disability benefits, whichever is later. Specifies that if a public safety agency closes, merges, or otherwise ceases to exist, the local unit public employer that caused the public safety agency to cease to exist, shall continue to provide certain insurance coverage. Provides that a surviving spouse or dependent of a public safety employee who dies in the line of duty must pay the same amount that the public safety employee would have been required to pay if still serving as a current active public safety employee employed by the local unit public employer for coverage selected by the surviving spouse or dependent under the group health insurance program.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4 · Republican 6

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 26, 2026Public Law 38
2. February 26, 2026Signed by the Governor
3. February 25, 2026Signed by the President of the Senate
4. February 24, 2026Signed by the President Pro Tempore
5. February 23, 2026Signed by the Speaker
6. February 19, 2026House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 295: yeas 93, nays 0
7. February 19, 2026Motion to concur filed
8. February 18, 2026Returned to the House with amendments
9. February 17, 2026Third reading: passed; Roll Call 176: yeas 45, nays 0
10. February 16, 2026Amendment #1 (Walker K) prevailed; voice vote
11. February 16, 2026Senator Yoder added as cosponsor
12. February 16, 2026Senator Hunley added as cosponsor

Showing 12 most recent of 26 actions. Full history