Sec. 16.5. (a) As used in this section, “dies in the line of duty” has the meaning set forth in IC 5-10-10-2.

     (b) This section applies to the survivors of an eligible employee who dies in the line of duty.

     (c) After December 31, 2003, the department that employed the eligible employee who died in the line of duty shall offer to provide and pay for health insurance coverage for the eligible employee’s surviving spouse and for each natural child, stepchild, or adopted child of the eligible employee:

(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 an eligible employee, the health insurance provided to a surviving spouse or child under this subsection must be equal in coverage to that offered to an eligible employee. 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 eligible employee is eligible for coverage under subdivision (1), (2), or (3).

As added by P.L.86-2003, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.97-2004, SEC.130.