Sec. 9.7. (a) This section applies to a member who died in the line of duty (as defined in section 10.1 of this chapter) before September 1, 1982.

     (b) A payment shall be made to the surviving spouse of a deceased member in an amount fixed by ordinance, but at least an amount equal to thirty percent (30%) of the monthly pay of a first class patrolman per month during the surviving spouse’s life if the spouse did not remarry before September 1, 1983. If the spouse remarried before September 1, 1983, and benefits ceased on the date of remarriage, the benefits for the surviving spouse shall be reinstated on July 1, 1997, and continue during the life of the surviving spouse.

     (c) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a payment shall also be made to each child of a deceased member less than eighteen (18) years of age, in an amount fixed by ordinance, but at least an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of the monthly pay of a first class patrolman per month to each child:

(1) until the child becomes eighteen (18) years of age;

(2) until the child becomes twenty-three (23) years of age if the child is enrolled in and regularly attending a secondary school or is a full-time student at an accredited college or university; or

(3) during the entire period of the child’s physical or mental disability;

whichever period is longer. However, the total of benefits under this subsection added to the benefits under subsection (b) may not exceed the maximum benefits computed under section 9 of this chapter for pension payments to a member who retires from active service after twenty (20) years or more of active service. This maximum benefit is equal to fifty percent (50%) of the salary of a first class patrolman in the police department plus, for a member who retired before January 1, 1986, two percent (2%) of the first class patrolman’s salary for each year of service of the retired member over twenty (20) years or, for a member who retires after December 31, 1985, plus one percent (1%) of the first class patrolman’s salary for each six (6) months of service of the retired member over twenty (20) years. However, the maximum benefit may not exceed in any year an amount greater than seventy-four percent (74%) of the salary of a first class patrolman.

     (d) If a deceased member leaves no surviving spouse and no child who qualifies for benefits under subsection (c) but does leave a dependent parent or parents, an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of the monthly pay of a first class patrolman per month from the time of the member’s death shall be paid to the dependent parent or parents during their dependency. When both parents survive, the total amount is still twenty percent (20%), to be paid to them jointly. In all cases of payment to a dependent relative of a deceased member, the board is the final judge of the question of necessity and dependency and of the amount to be paid. The board may also reduce or terminate temporarily or permanently a payment to a dependent relative of a deceased member when it determines that the condition of the fund or other circumstances make this action necessary.

     (e) If the salary of a first class patrolman is increased or decreased, the pension payable under this section shall be proportionately increased or decreased. However, the monthly pension payable to a member or survivor may not be reduced below the amount of the first full monthly pension received by that person.

     (f) The unit of local government that employed the deceased member shall after December 31, 2003, offer to provide and pay for health insurance coverage for the member’s surviving spouse and for each natural child, stepchild, or adopted child of the member:

(1) until the child becomes eighteen (18) years of age;

(2) until the child becomes twenty-three (23) years of age if the child is enrolled in and regularly attending a secondary school or is a full-time student at an accredited college or university; or

(3) during the entire period of the child’s physical or mental disability;

whichever period is longest. If health insurance coverage is offered by the unit to active members, the health insurance provided to a surviving spouse and child under this subsection must be equal in coverage to that offered to active members. The offer to provide and pay for health insurance coverage shall remain open for as long as there is a surviving spouse or as long as a natural child, stepchild, or adopted child of the member is eligible for the coverage under subdivision (1), (2), or (3).

As added by P.L.118-2000, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.86-2003, SEC.2.