Sec. 26. (a) As used in this section, “dies in the line of duty” has the meaning set forth in section 12.4 of this chapter.

     (b) A special death benefit of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) for a fund member who dies in the line of duty before July 1, 2020, and two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($225,000) for a fund member who dies in the line of duty after June 30, 2020, shall be paid in a lump sum by the Indiana public retirement system from the special death benefit fund established under IC 5-10-9.8 to the following relative of a fund member who dies in the line of duty:

(1) To the surviving spouse.

(2) If there is no surviving spouse, to the surviving children (to be shared equally).

(3) If there is no surviving spouse and there are no surviving children, to the parent or parents in equal shares.

     (c) The benefit provided by this section is in addition to any other benefits provided under this chapter.

As added by P.L.223-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.225-1991, SEC.2; P.L.53-1993, SEC.3; P.L.49-1998, SEC.5; P.L.118-2000, SEC.16; P.L.1-2001, SEC.43; P.L.35-2012, SEC.111; P.L.40-2017, SEC.20; P.L.99-2020, SEC.10.