(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), whenever a state agency or municipality provides for the payment of premiums for any health benefit plan for law enforcement officers employed by such state agency or such municipality, the state agency or municipality 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 law enforcement officer who dies in the line of duty. Premiums for continuation of coverage under COBRA shall be paid for 18 months.

(2) Neither the state agency nor the municipality may 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 law enforcement officer;

(B) upon the remarriage of the deceased law enforcement officer’s surviving spouse; or

(C) upon the deceased law enforcement officer’s surviving spouse reaching the age of 65.

(b) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Health benefit plan” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 40-4602, and amendments thereto.

(2) “Law enforcement officer” means an employee employed by:

(A) A law enforcement agency whose principal duties are engagement in the enforcement of law and maintenance of order within this state and its political subdivisions and who is certified pursuant to the provisions of the Kansas law enforcement training act, Kan. Stat. Ann. § 74-5601 et seq., and amendments thereto; or

(B) the Kansas department of corrections.

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

(4) “State agency” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-3701, and amendments thereto.