NCJ Number
59097
Date Published
1978
Length
95 pages
Annotation
A CONGRESSIONAL HEARING IN AUGUST 1976 CONSIDERED A BILL TO AMEND THE OMNIBUS CRIME CONTROL AND SAFE STREETS ACT BY AUTHORIZING GROUP LIFE INSURANCE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS.
Abstract
THE HEARING WAS CONVENED BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP, AND INTERNATIONAL LAW OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY. THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED AS THE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE ACT OF 1977 (H.R. 6845 AND S. 262). TESTIMONY WAS PRESENTED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF POLICE ASSOCIATIONS, THE JOHN HANCOCK MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, THE LEAA, THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF POLICE OFFICERS, THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS, AN THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE. A STATEMENT WAS ALSO PRESENTED BY SENATOR KENNEDY. ISSUES COVERED IN TESTIMONY INCLUDED THE DUTY OF GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CITIZENS AND TO PROMOTE PUBLIC SAFETY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE; THE INSURANCE BROKERAGE ROLE ENVISIONED FOR LEAA BY THE BILL AND THE IMPACT OF THIS ROLE ON EMPLOYERS AND STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN PROVIDING FINANCIAL PROTECTION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND LIFE INSURANCE COSTS IN LIGHT OF THE HIGH-RISK STATUS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL AND FIRE FIGHTERS BY INSURANCE COMPANIES STANDARDS. ALSO DISCUSSED WERE THE LIMITS ON THE AMOUNT OF INSURANCE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS SHOULD HAVE, GROUP LIFE INSURANCE PLANS, THE REQUIREMENTS OF STATE INSURANCE STATUTES AND OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAWS. HOUSE AND SENATE VERSIONS OF THE BILL ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)