Burgum to Sign Bill Covering Health Benefits for Family Members of Fallen Emergency Responders

(Bismarck, ND) -- Representatives of law enforcement, firefighters and other emergency responders will join state legislators, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Governor Doug Burgum Monday at the Capitol for the official signing of House Bill 1435, which will cover the cost of health insurance for the surviving spouse and dependents of an emergency responder who dies in the line of duty.

Also expected to attend are Mandy Holte, wife of Grand Forks Police Officer Cody Holte, who died in the line of duty on May 27th, 2020, and Grand Forks Police Chief Mark Nelson.

House Bill 1435 requires the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System board to offer health and pharmacy insurance coverage at no cost to the surviving spouse and dependents of an emergency responder who dies in the line of duty. Under the bill, “emergency responder” includes a peace officer, member of a correctional facility staff, emergency medical services personnel or firefighter who is employed by the state, a political subdivision of the state, or an institution under the control of the state Board of Higher Education.

The bill has a retroactive application date of January 1st, 2010.