Dec. 08, 2021
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) wants to amend an 86-year-old law to expand the list of public servants who are protected should they be injured while on the job.
“The Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act of 1935 provides wage and medical benefits for police officers and paid firefighters who are temporarily disabled due to an injury in the line of duty,” Struzzi said. “What I simply want to do is broaden the law to include other individuals who serve and protect our communities in other capacities.”
First enacted as the Enforcement Officers Disability Benefits Law, the measure provides civic workers and first responders, like firefighters and police, with additional benefits to those eligible under workers’ compensation. Struzzi’s
House Bill 2132 would add campus police officers to the list of members of law enforcement who are covered under the act.
“If my bill becomes law, these vital members of the law enforcement community would be eligible to receive their full salary until they return to work or their injury is classified as a permanent one,” added Struzzi. “These men and women at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and other college and university campuses around the state put their lives on the line just as those currently covered by the law do and deserve to receive the same benefit as their colleagues.”
Questions about this or any legislative issue should be directed to Struzzi’s Indiana district office at 1-724-465-0220.
Representative Jim Struzzi
62nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives