N.J. may pick up burial tab for line-of-duty deaths

Funeral expenses for police officers, firefighters, EMTs and other first-responders killed in the line of duty may soon be covered by the state.

Lawmakers will consider a measure today that would authorize the state treasury department to reimburse family members up to $10,000 for burial expenses. The amount would be reduced by any Workers Compensation allowance, which currently has a $3,500 maximum.

Sheriff’s officers, first aid, ambulance and rescue squad members and correctional officers would also be covered.

The bill gets its first hearing in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

A similar measure was unanimously passed in the Senate during the last legislative session. But it expired before the Assembly acted on the bill.

Five active-duty deaths occur every year, on average.