Des Moines, Iowa – A new bill in the Iowa legislature aims to allow state agency leaders to provide health care coverage for the families of state employees who die from traumatic, work-related injuries. This comes after two prison employees were tragically murdered during an escape attempt in 2021. In response to such incidents, lawmakers created a bill in 2022 to extend state-funded health benefits to the spouses and children of public safety workers killed on the job.
The latest bill is partly motivated by the death of an Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) employee who was struck by a vehicle while fixing potholes on Interstate 80. Susan Fenton from the DOT discussed this important issue with legislators.
Representative Ross Wilburn from Ames supports this bill. He believes all state employees should have the same benefits, rather than just those in specific fields like public safety. This is a step towards equality and recognition of the risks all state workers face.
Tami Weincek, a spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, noted that the policy in the bill addresses a significant need for support in the event of job-related fatalities. However, it’s important to note that families of employees who pass away due to chronic health issues, or their own misconduct, won’t qualify for these extended benefits.
In the past six years, five Iowa state employees have tragically lost their lives while on duty. This includes two troopers, two prison workers, and the DOT employee from Neola. As of now, the bill has made it through several legislative committees and awaits further review by the House Appropriations Committee.
Adding to this discussion, a 2021 survey from the National Association of State Personnel Executives indicated that many states are reconsidering support systems for employees facing job-related challenges, including mental health support and family benefits after fatalities. This trend reflects a growing awareness of the needs of public sector workers.
For more information on state employee benefits and support, visit National Conference of State Legislatures.
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