State Law Change Named After Worcester Officer Who Drowned

WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester City Council on Tuesday endorsed a change in state law that would allow the children of police and firefighters who die on-duty to be covered by their medical benefits for longer.

The change has been dubbed "Manny's Law" after Worcester Officer Enmanuel "Manny" Familia, who drowned June 4 while attempting to rescue 14-year-old Troy Love from the pond at Green Hill Park.

Under current state law, the children of police and firefighters who die while on-duty lose medical benefits if their other parent also dies or remarries. Senate Bill 1759 would allow the children to continue receiving those benefits after the surviving spouse's death or remarriage.

Familia left behind a wife, a 17-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son.

The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Patrick O'Connor (R-Marshfield). O'Connor filed it in March, but the change has taken on new meaning since Familia's death. It will likely be passed as part of a supplemental budget rather than go through the traditional legislative process.

In a separate measure on Tuesday, the Worcester City Council also endorsed a home rule petition asking the Legislature to add drowning to the list of reasons that allow surviving spouses to collect a deceased police officer or firefighter's pension.