(The Center Square) – Families of first responders who have been killed in the line of duty will be eligible for a supplemental benefit of $250,000 now that voters have passed Prop. 311, the Back the Blue Act, with 58.62% in favor at 99% of precincts reporting.
To create this fund, there will be a $20 fee on every conviction of a criminal offense. Fees collected by courts would be submitted to the county or the municipal treasurer, who would then give them to the state treasurer.
“Beginning on July 1, 2025, the state treasurer would be required to pay the $250,000 benefit to the surviving spouse of a first responder who is killed in the line of duty within 30 days after being notified of the death by the first responder’s employer,” reads the legislative analysis. “If the first responder does not have a surviving spouse, the death benefit would be divided equally among the first responder’s children.”
Furthermore, if the funds exceed $2 million, Prop. 311 gives the legislature the power to appropriate excess money for peace officer training or equipment and assistance to peace officers who have been injured in the line of duty.
Prop. 311 also increases the criminal punishment for committing aggravated assault against a peace officer.
“If the aggravated assault results in any physical injury to the first responder, the classification of the crime would increase from a class 4 felony to a class 3 felony,” reads the legislative analysis.
This increased criminal punishment would be repealed on Jan. 1, 2033.
“Arizona’s first responders are a vital part of our community,” reads a statement from Tom Hatten, chairman of Back the Blue. “They work hard to keep us safe and make our state a great place to live. But they are under attack – not just police, but our firefighters and paramedics too. Violent assaults on first responders are happening at record levels. Staffing shortages and rising crime are putting an increased strain on an already difficult job.”
Only one individual filed a statement against the proposition to the Secretary of State’s Office, stating that their concerns are that this does not create legislative transparency and that there should be a “high visibility budget line item” in the state budget that addresses the monetary benefits for the families of first responders that have been killed in the line of duty.
