FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2006
Back

Senate Passes Pileggi Bill to Provide Heart and Lung Act Benefits to Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 

Today, the State Senate passed a bill introduced by State Senator Dominic Pileggi (R-Chester, Delaware) which would provide coverage to sheriffs and deputy sheriffs under Pennsylvania's Enforcement Officer Disability Benefits Law, commonly known as the "Heart and Lung Act." 

The purpose of the Heart and Lung Act is to provide important public safety personnel with compensation while they are disabled from an injury which occurred in the performance of their duties.  The Act insures that an injured enforcement officer would be paid his full rate of salary during incapacity and not be forced to take sick leave. Currently, the Act covers state and municipal police officers, probation officers, and park rangers, among others. 

"Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs perform many dangerous public safety functions, such as court security, transportation of inmates, and service of warrants and other legal process. The dangers of the job were made very clear on Thursday, July 24, 2003, when two Chester County deputy sheriffs were shot while attempting to serve an eviction notice," noted Pileggi. "I believe that it is time that sheriffs and deputy sheriffs be included in the protections of the Heart and Lung Act." 

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for its consideration.

Contact:

Lee Derr
(717) 787-4712
lderr@pasen.gov

Privacy Policy
2006 © Senate of Pennsylvania