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Democrat Senator Jim Arnold of LaPorte and Republican Senator Ed Charbonneau of Valparaiso have co-authored a piece of legislation that would expand benefits for family members of state employees who pass away in the line of duty.
Senate Bill 324 would raise the benefit amounts from $50,000 to $100,000. Arnold explained that he realizes the conditions highway workers and others experience and this bill will make sure that if a worker loses his or her life on the job, his or her family will be adequately compensated.
Ten state employees not connected to public safety have been killed at work since 2003.
The bill unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Pensions and Labor and the full Senate by a vote of 47-2. It now goes to the House for consideration.