In a significant move to support surviving spouses of high-risk workers, Colorado lawmakers have introduced House Bill 1139, which seeks to amend the existing death benefits paid under workers’ compensation claims. The proposed legislation aims to provide greater financial security to families who have lost a loved one due to work-related incidents.
The Current Scenario
Under the current law, surviving spouses of deceased employees are entitled to lifetime death benefits only if they remain unmarried. However, the benefits are abruptly terminated if the widow or widower decides to remarry. This provision has often left families dealing with financial uncertainty, especially when the surviving spouse seeks companionship or remarries.
The Proposed Changes
House Bill 1139 seeks to address this limitation by allowing dependents of deceased high-risk workers to receive lifetime death benefits even after remarrying. The bill recognizes that love and companionship are essential aspects of healing and moving forward after the loss of a partner.
Jobs classified as high-risk play a crucial role in our communities and include the following:
- Colorado State Patrol Officers
- Bureau of Investigation personnel
- Department of Corrections employees
- Firefighters
- Wildlife officers
- Department of Transportation workers
- Parks and recreation officers
Why It Matters
The proposed changes recognize the sacrifices made by high-risk workers and their families. By allowing surviving spouses to remarry without losing their benefits, Colorado acknowledges that life doesn’t stop after tragedy. It encourages healing, companionship, and the pursuit of happiness amidst grief.
The proposed bill in Colorado has significant implications for small business owners. If passed, it would allow dependents of deceased employees who worked in high-risk job classifications to receive lifetime death benefits, even if they remarry. Currently, the law terminates benefits upon remarriage. For business owners, this means they may need to adjust their workers’ compensation policies and ensure compliance with the new provisions.
Fortunately, a professional employer organization (PEO) is here to help. A PEO plays a crucial role in assisting small business owners with various aspects of HR and employee management. In addition, a PEO can help with the proposed bill by offering the following:
- Legal compliance and guidance
- Workers' compensation administration
- Benefits administration
- Risk management
- Administrative efficiency
GMS, a PEO, is here to navigate legal complexities, provide better benefits, and maintain a productive workforce while keeping you informed about legislative updates. Contact us today to learn more.