FRANKFORT, Ky. — A bill giving death benefits to families of EMS providers killed in the line of duty has been signed into law.
WKYT.com reported that Senate Bill 43, also known as the John Mackey Act, was signed by Gov. Matt Bevin on Friday.
“To know every time you get on that truck you may not come home is an option we live with every day,” Janie Mackey, John’s wife, said.
Mackey was a Jessamine County (Ky.) paramedic who was hit by a car while on duty in November 2015. He died a few days later. At the time of his death, EMS providers killed on the job did not receive death benefits.
All local government EMS providers and volunteers killed after Nov. 1, 2015 are eligible for the benefits under the bill.
“It took a personal face, it took a personal story to not make it about numbers but to make it about people,” Janie said.
The law will take effect in July.