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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 6, 2024 08:59 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Melissa Cerrato and Rep. Jennifer O'Mara, Rep. Brian Munroe |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Bryan’s Law: Providing Our Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel with the Death Benefits They Deserve |
| Our first responders are heroes who put their lives on the line every day to protect the people of this Commonwealth. When tragedy strikes, they are the first on the scene working tirelessly to save lives. Unfortunately, but not uncommon, tragedy can strike our first responders as well. On January 19, 2024, at only 36 years old, Pennsylvania State Trooper Bryan F. Gray, who was also a former U.S. Army Green Beret, tragically died by suicide. He leaves behind his wife, young daughter, unborn baby, extended family and friends. When a first responder falls in the line of duty, their families are eligible for death benefits. Sadly, not all duty-related deaths are treated the same. In many cases, deaths like Trooper Gray’s are not considered eligible for death benefits other families may receive. For this reason, we will be introducing legislation to provide Pennsylvania first responders with the death benefits they deserve, even if they did not pass while performing a traditional line-of-duty task. Our bill, based on the federal Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022, would extend such benefits to the families of first responders who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of their line of work. These brave men and women, who dedicate their lives to protecting the health and safety of the Commonwealth, deserve to have their families taken care of if tragedy strikes, in whatever form. Please join us in co-sponsoring this important and far overdue legislation to recognize and repay the families of emergency personnel, like Trooper Bryan F. Gray. |