Permits reimbursement of COBRA health benefit costs of survivors of certain deceased public safety employees; appropriates $750,000.

This bill provides reimbursement for the first six months of COBRA health insurance costs paid by spouses and unmarried children of public safety employees who died while on duty or within 24 hours of duty. To qualify, dependents must have been covered by the State Health Benefits Program or the employee’s employer plan until death, and must apply by March 1 each year for the prior year’s coverage. The state allocates $750,000 annually for these reimbursements, with payments distributed proportionally if funding falls short of demand. This program does not affect the standard 36-month COBRA coverage period available to survivors.