Bill Respecting Police Families Soon to Be Law

October 22, 2026

When Derry Township Officer Michael L. Henry Jr. died in early 2020, it was just weeks later that his widow received a notice saying her health insurance coverage had been terminated. That letter to Jackie Henry started countless, emotional conversations between the two of us and a quest to ensure others don’t find themselves without benefits while grieving.

Pennsylvania State Police families experiencing line-of-duty deaths already receive continuity in their benefits. I authored a measure to extend similar protections to municipal officers statewide, and I’m pleased to note a bill providing those protections is on its way to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk to be signed into law.

The initiative started by Jackie Henry’s upsetting letter culminated in a late-in-the-legislative-session flurry of amendments and negotiations, which wrapped up, sadly, just days after a Philadelphia Police Department officer was killed on the job. The shooting death of Officer Shane Seiber was yet another reminder why we needed to make this happen for families across the state.

Since the first recorded line-of-duty death in Pennsylvania in 1825, more than 1,000 law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities. Each loss is a profound tragedy. Those tragedies are made even more devastating when the fallen officer’s surviving spouse and dependent children lose their health insurance, adding financial uncertainty and hardship to an already unimaginable loss.

The legislation passed Oct. 20 will provide insurance to the surviving spouse for his or her lifetime, and children will be covered until age 26. It passed as an omnibus bill with even more provisions for public safety, including classifying 911 dispatchers as first responders.

The men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities act selflessly and make sacrifices every day, often putting themselves in harm’s way to ensure the safety of others. When they agree to answer the call in times of crisis, they do so with the understanding that their service carries inherent risks. They and their families deserve peace of mind to know they will be supported and protected should tragedy strike.

My legislation recognizes the extraordinary service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers and reaffirms our commitment to those who protect our communities. By ensuring that surviving family members receive the support and assistance they need, it provides a measure of stability during a devastating loss and honors the legacy of officers who have given so much in service to others.



Representative Thomas L. Mehaffie III
106th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717-260-6563
jfitch@pahousegop.com