S.Amdt. 5962

The amendment, titled the Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act, aims to provide financial support to the survivors of federal employees who die while performing their duties. It adds a new subtitle to the bill to establish and manage death gratuity payments and funeral expenses.

Key changes and additions include:

• Death Gratuity Payments: It establishes a death gratuity of $100,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) for employees killed in the line of duty. This payment is available if the death was not caused by willful misconduct, an intent to cause injury or death, or intoxication.

• Recipient Priority: It creates a specific order of who receives the money: first to a designated beneficiary, then to a surviving spouse, then to children, then to surviving parents, then to an estate executor, and finally to whoever is entitled under state law.

• Funeral Expenses: It increases the amount for funeral expenses from $800 to $8,800, with annual inflation adjustments.

• Armed Forces and Foreign Service: It updates rules for death gratuities related to service with an armed force and for those serving abroad. It specifies that for deaths abroad, the payment is reduced by any amount provided under the new section 5571.

• Funding and Oversight: It allows for emergency supplemental appropriations during disasters or acts of terrorism. It also requires agency heads to notify the Comptroller General of payments and mandates annual reports and an audit of the program within three years.