Sec. 13.7. (a) This section applies to a member who died in the line of duty (as defined in section 14.1 of this chapter) before September 1, 1982.

     (b) The 1953 fund shall be used to pay an annuity, computed under subsection (g) and payable in monthly installments, to the surviving spouse of a member. The annuity continues during the life of the surviving spouse unless the spouse remarried before September 1, 1983. If the spouse remarried before September 1, 1983, benefits ceased on the date of remarriage. If a member of the fund died, but not in the line of duty, and the member’s surviving spouse remarried before September 1, 1983, the benefits of the surviving spouse shall be reinstated on July 1, 1997, and continue during the life of the surviving spouse.

     (c) The 1953 fund shall also be used to pay an annuity equal to twenty percent (20%) of the salary of a first class patrolman on the police department, computed as provided in section 12(b) of this chapter and payable in monthly installments, to each dependent child of a member of the fund who dies from any cause while in the actual discharge of duties as a police officer. The pension to each child continues:

(1) until the child becomes eighteen (18) years of age;

(2) until the child becomes twenty-three (23) years of age if the child is enrolled in and regularly attending a secondary school or is a full-time student at an accredited college or university; or

(3) during the entire period of the child’s physical or mental disability;

whichever period is longest. However, the pension to the child ceases if the child marries or is legally adopted by any person.

     (d) If a deceased member leaves no surviving spouse and no child who qualifies for a benefit under subsection (c) but does leave a dependent parent or parents, the 1953 fund shall be used to pay an annuity not greater than a sum equal to twenty percent (20%) of the salary of a first class patrolman on the police department, computed and payable as provided in section 12(b) of this chapter, payable monthly to the dependent parent or parents of a member of the police department. The annuity continues for the remainder of the life or lives of the parent or parents as long as either or both fail to have sufficient other income for their proper care, maintenance, and support.

     (e) In all cases of payment to a dependent relative of a deceased member, the local board is the final judge of the question of necessity and dependency and of the amount within the stated limits to be paid. The local board may also reduce or terminate temporarily or permanently a payment to a dependent relative of a deceased member when it determines that the condition of the 1953 fund or other circumstances make this action necessary.

     (f) If the salary of a first class patrolman is increased or decreased, the pension payable under this section shall be proportionately increased or decreased. However, the monthly pension payable to a member or survivor may not be reduced below the amount of the first full monthly pension received by that person.

     (g) The annuity payable under subsection (b) equals thirty percent (30%) of the salary of a first class patrolman. The amount provided in this subsection is subject to adjustment as provided in subsection (f).

     (h) The unit of local government that employed the deceased member shall after December 31, 2003, offer to provide and pay for health insurance coverage for the member’s surviving spouse and for each natural child, stepchild, or adopted child of the member:

(1) until the child becomes eighteen (18) years of age;

(2) until the child becomes twenty-three (23) years of age if the child is enrolled in and regularly attending a secondary school or is a full-time student at an accredited college or university; or

(3) during the entire period of the child’s physical or mental disability;

whichever period is longest. If health insurance coverage is offered by the unit to active members, the health insurance provided to a surviving spouse and child under this subsection must be equal in coverage to that offered to active members. The offer to provide and pay for health insurance coverage shall remain open for as long as there is a surviving spouse or as long as a natural child, stepchild, or adopted child of the member is eligible for coverage under subdivision (1), (2), or (3).

As added by P.L.118-2000, SEC.20. Amended by P.L.1-2001, SEC.45; P.L.86-2003, SEC.6.