(HARRISBURG, PA) – Legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Regan (R-Cumberland/York) to expand the list of law enforcement entities covered under the Enforcement Officer Disability Law, also known as the Heart and Lung Act, achieved final passage in the House of Representatives and now goes to the Governor for signature.
“This legislation is long overdue in leveling the playing field across our state’s great law enforcement community and providing Heart and Lung benefits to individuals that face on-the-job dangers that can result in serious injuries or health impacts causing lost time from work.”
Pennsylvania’s Heart and Lung Act provides for salary and medical expenses to be paid when an officer or firefighter is injured on the job.
Senate Bill 429 extends these benefits to DCNR Rangers and State Park Officers, members of Fort Indiantown Gap Police, commissioned police officers within the Department of Corrections’ Bureau of Investigations and Intelligence, investigative staff within the Office of State Inspector General, and Allegheny County Housing Authority Police.
The legislation also includes opt-in provisions for counties to provide benefits to corrections and probation officers; state-owned, -related, and -aided universities and community colleges to provide benefits to campus police; and housing and transit authorities to provide benefits to authority police officers.
“I appreciate my colleagues in both the Senate and the House for supporting this legislation and recognizing the need to update our Heart and Lung Act to encompass these additional well-deserving law enforcement officers, and I look forward to Governor Shapiro signing the bill into law.”
CONTACT: Bruce McLanahan, (717)-787-8524