Fla. Stat. § 295.061 — Florida Code / Title XX / Chapter 295 / Section 295.061
295.061 Active duty servicemembers; death benefits.
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section, the term: (a) “Active duty” has the same meaning as provided in s. 250.01. (b) “United States Armed Forces” means the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard.

(2) The sum of $75,000 must be paid by the state if a member of the United States Armed Forces, while on active duty, is killed or sustains a bodily injury that results in the loss of the member’s life, provided that such killing is not the result of suicide and that such bodily injury is not intentionally self-inflicted.

(3) Payment of benefits under subsection (2) must be made to the beneficiary designated by such member through the process set out by the Department of Military Affairs.

(4) To qualify for the benefits provided in this section, the deceased military member must have been a resident of this state, or his or her duty post must have been within this state, at the time of death. Proof of residency or duty post must be provided to the Department of Military Affairs in the manner prescribed by the department.

(5) Any benefits provided pursuant to this section are in addition to any other benefits provided under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance program or any other federal program. Benefits granted pursuant to this section are exempt from the claims and demands of creditors of such member.

(6) Benefits provided under subsection (2) shall be paid from the General Revenue Fund. The department shall request the Chief Financial Officer to draw a warrant from the General Revenue Fund for the payment of the benefit in the amount specified in this section. Each fiscal year, a sum sufficient to pay such benefits is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Financial Services for the purposes of paying such benefits.

(7) The Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Financial Services shall adopt rules and procedures as appropriate and necessary to implement subsections (1)-(6).

(8)(a) If an active duty member is killed as specified in subsection (2), the state must waive certain educational expenses that the child or the spouse of the deceased member incurs while obtaining a career certificate, an undergraduate education, or a postgraduate education. The amount waived by the state must be in an amount equal to the cost of tuition and matriculation and registration fees for a total of 120 credit hours. The child or the spouse may attend a state career center, a Florida College System institution, or a state university on either a full-time or part-time basis. The benefits provided to a child under this subsection must continue until the child’s 25th birthday. The benefits provided to a spouse under this subsection must commence within 5 years after the death occurs and may continue until the 10th anniversary of that death. (b) Upon failure of any child or spouse who receives a waiver in accordance with this subsection to comply with the ordinary and minimum requirements regarding discipline and scholarship of the institution attended, such benefits to the child or the spouse must be withdrawn and no further moneys may be expended for the child’s or spouse’s benefits so long as such failure or delinquency continues. (c) Only a student in good standing in his or her respective institution may receive the benefits provided in this subsection. (d) A child or spouse who is receiving benefits under this subsection shall be enrolled according to the customary rules and requirements of the institution attended. (e) A child or spouse of a member may receive benefits under either this subsection or s. 295.01. (f) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules and procedures, and the Board of Governors shall adopt regulations and procedures, as are appropriate and necessary to implement this subsection.

History: s. 7, ch. 2019-24; s. 10, ch. 2022-183; s. 64, ch. 2023-8; s. 1, ch. 2023-163.