Joined By Fallen Deputy's Surviving Family, Scott Ceremonially Signs Death Benefits Bill

WFSU | By Sascha Cordner

Published April 25, 2016 at 6:02 PM EDT

Joined by former Orange County Sheriff's deputy Scott Pine's family as well as other law enforcement and officials, Gov. Scott ceremonially signed Senate Bill 7012 into law Monday, for the second time.

For the second time, Governor Rick Scott has ceremonially signed into law a bill making sure the spouses of fallen law enforcement and first responders receive full death benefits.

About two weeks ago, Scott ceremoniously signed the measure at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office.

“Senate Bill 7012 is going to give peace of mind to individuals. Hopefully, we’ll never have another law enforcement [officer] in our state that loses their life, and if they do, this is going to have much better benefits for everyone involved,” he said, at the time.

Governor Scott performed a similar ceremonial signing in Orlando Monday. He was joined by Bridget Pine—whose husband is the inspiration for the measure. In 2014, Deputy Scott Pine was killed while on duty. Because of the retirement option he chose, Bridget and her family did not really receive a death benefit. Now, the new law will allow her to receive 100 percent of her late husband’s monthly salary. Surviving spouses of correctional officers, firefighters, and others considered special risk who died on or after July 1 ^st, 2013 are eligible for that benefit as well. The new law takes effect July 1 ^st.

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