Ch. 659

LAWS OF MARYLAND

(iv) The security force of the Department of
General Services; and

(v) The special police of the Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene who are commissioned police officers.

(2)   "Children" means any natural, illegitimate,
adopted, or posthumous children or stepchildren of the decedent
who are:

(i) Eighteen years of age or under; or

(ii) Over eighteen years of age and incapable
of self-support because of physical or mental disability.

(3)   "Correctional officer" means a member of a
correctional unit who is responsible for the investigation, care,
custody, control, or supervision of persons confined to places of
incarceration.

(4)   "Correctional unit" means any State or county
governmental organization which has by statute, ordinance, or
court order the responsibility for the care, control, and
supervision of inmates in correctional institutions for persons
declared to be parolees or for persons placed on probation or
suspension of sentence.

(5)   "Stepchild" means a child of the surviving spouse
who was living with or dependent for support on the decedent at
the time of his death.

(b)  (1) A death benefit shall be paid to the surviving
spouse, children, or designated beneficiary DEPENDENT PARENTS of
any law-enforcement officer of the State or of any political
subdivision of the State, any sheriff or deputy sheriff, any
correctional officer, or any volunteer or professional
firefighter or rescue squad member who is killed or dies in the
performance of duties on or after January 1, [1980] 1990 JULY 1,
1989. The amount of the benefit shall be [$25,000] $50,000.

(2) This sum shall be in addition to any:

(i) Workmen's compensation benefits; or

(ii) Proceeds of any form of life insurance,
regardless of who paid the premiums on the insurance.

(c)  The payments hereinabove provided for shall be made out
of funds which the Governor may appropriate for that purpose in
the State budget.

(d)  The Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional
Services may award a death benefit under this section under any

- 3898 -