(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), whenever a municipality provides for the payment of premiums for any health benefit plan for its firefighters, it shall pay premiums for the continuation of coverage under COBRA for the surviving spouse and eligible dependent children under the age of 26 years of a firefighter who dies in the line of duty. Premiums for continuation of coverage under COBRA shall be paid for 18 months.

(2) A municipality may not be required to pay the premiums described in paragraph (1) for a surviving spouse:

(A) On or after the end of the 18th calendar month after the date of death of the deceased firefighter;

(B) upon the remarriage of the deceased firefighter’s surviving spouse; or

(C) upon the deceased firefighter’s surviving spouse reaching the age of 65.

(b) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Firefighter” means an actual member of an organized fire department, of a municipality, whether regular or volunteer.

(2) “Health benefit plan” means the same as defined in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 40-4602, and amendments thereto.

(3) “Municipality” means a city, county, fire district or township.