By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- Vermont Gov. Phil Scott has signed legislation expanding state survivor benefits to families of first responders and other public safety workers killed in the line of duty.
- The law, known as “Jessica’s Law,” was prompted by the 2023 death of 19-year-old Rutland police trainee Jessica Ebbighausen, whose family was ineligible for benefits because she was still in training at the time of the crash.
- The measure broadens coverage to include police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, correctional officers, state social workers, and employees of inpatient psychiatric hospitals.
- Eligible surviving family members may receive benefits of up to $85,000.
- The Vermont Police Association called the legislation an important step for law enforcement officers and their families.
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont has expanded state survivor benefits for the families of first responders and other frontline public safety workers killed in the line of duty, under legislation signed by Gov. Phil Scott.
The law, officially designated “Jessica’s Law,” was named in honor of Jessica Ebbighausen, a 19-year-old Rutland Police Department trainee who died in 2023 after a crash while responding to a call. Because Ebbighausen was still in a training capacity at the time of her death, her family was found ineligible for survivor benefits under existing state law — a gap the new legislation is designed to close.
Under the expanded statute, eligible occupations now include law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, correctional officers, state social workers, and employees of inpatient psychiatric hospitals. Families of covered workers who die in the line of duty may receive survivor benefits of up to $85,000.
State Rep. Emilie Krasnow, D-South Burlington, who supported the measure, stated that while lawmakers hope the law is rarely needed, its existence ensures families will not face the same coverage gap that affected the Ebbighausen family. “We don’t want this law to be used, but it’s there if we need it,” Krasnow said.
The Vermont Police Association issued a statement characterizing the law as a meaningful advance in protections for law enforcement and their families, affirming that those who make the ultimate sacrifice in service to others should not be forgotten. Lawmakers framed the measure broadly as recognition of the risks borne by first responders and other public safety personnel across the state.