WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today applauded the Senate passage of critical updates to the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act (PSOBA) as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). These updates will ensure that the families of first responders killed in the line of duty receive adequate benefits and help expedite the claims process. While this provision was not included in the House-passed version of the NDAA, it has passed the House as a stand-alone bill. Sen. Landrieu called for the updates to be included in the final version of the NDAA that is signed into law.

"Our heroic first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect the health and safety of our communities. When one of these heroes is killed in the line of duty, it is our responsibility to adequately provide for their families without delay," Sen. Landrieu said. "I am proud to have helped pass this important legislation through the Senate and I will be pushing to include it in the final National Defense Authorization Act when it is signed into law."

The PSOBA was originally enacted in 1976 due to Congress' concerns that states and municipalities did not provide adequate death benefits to public safety officers. These low benefit levels led to reduced morale and hurt recruitment efforts. The amendment included in the NDAA updates this program and expands its benefits to certain nonprofit emergency response personnel and certain public safety officer candidates. It also makes critical improvements to expedite the claims process for eligible surviving family members.

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