General Assembly sends Mackey Act to Bevin

The Kentucky House gave final approval Friday to Senate Bill 43, which will extend $80,000 death benefits and free tuition at state universities or community colleges to the families of paramedics who die in the line of duty.

SB 43 goes to Gov. Matt Bevin for his signature or veto.

The bill is named the Mackey Act to honor Jessamine County paramedic John Mackey, who was hit and killed by a car in November while responding to a call. Lawmakers made the bill retroactive to deaths occurring since Nov. 1, 2015, so Mackey’s family will be included.

State law authorizes line-of-duty death benefits for survivors of police officers and firefighters who die on the job, but not for survivors of other types of first-responders who also risk their lives, the bill’s supporters said. The state treasury pays the benefits.

This story was originally published March 18, 2016 at 2:33 PM with the headline "General Assembly sends Mackey Act to Bevin."