(The Center Square) − The Louisiana House Committee on Retirement is exploring potential benefits for the beneficiaries of state employees killed in the line of duty by an intentional act of violence.
The discussion, held this week, focused on expanding survivor benefits to include educators and other public employees facing violent incidents in the workplace.
“This is for active shooting scenarios,” said Rep. Neil Riser, R-Caldwell, the bill’s author.
In the 2024 regular session, Riser tasked the retirement committee with reviewing death benefits for public employees killed in the line of duty by an intentional act of violence.
The resolution, known as a study request, highlights the increasing risks faced by teachers and public employees, particularly in active shooter situations, and notes that many do not participate in Social Security. As a result, their families must rely solely on state retirement system benefits in the event of a work-related death.
Currently, state troopers and employees in certain hazardous duty positions receive dedicated line-of-duty death benefits, but other state workers do not. The committee is expected to present its findings to the House of Representatives before the 2025 legislative session.
Lawmakers acknowledged that teachers and school employees are increasingly exposed to active shooter scenarios and other dangerous situations. The proposal under consideration aims to ensure that their families receive similar financial protections as those granted to law enforcement officers and firefighters.
“We never thought we’d be sitting here today talking about something like this, but the reality is that no teacher ever signed up for a job expecting to lose their life,” Riser said.
Currently, state law provides specific death benefits for law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
Marsha Pemble, interim director of the Office of Risk Management, outlined existing provisions, explaining that survivors of law enforcement officers receive $250,000 for a spouse and $50,000 per child. Additionally, children of fallen officers can attend a state university tuition free. These funds are allocated annually by the Legislature, with a $5 million appropriation set aside for claims.
Lawmakers also heard from Karen Jackson, the state’s workers’ compensation claims manager, who detailed benefits available to state employees. Workers’ compensation provides financial support based on a percentage of the deceased employee’s salary, with surviving spouses eligible for payments until they remarry or pass away.
While the law currently covers deaths occurring in the course and scope of employment, there is no specific provision for intentional acts of violence against educators.
Katherine Whitney, director of the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana, explained that teachers’ surviving family currently receive benefits based on the employee’s salary and years of service.
However, these benefits are not structured to account for deaths due to workplace violence. Under existing policy, a teacher earning $50,000 with 10 years of service would leave behind a survivor benefit of 25% of their salary, or approximately $12,500 annually.
