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Domestic partners to be paid federal 'line of duty' benefits

     A new law signed recently by President Bush makes the domestic partners of firefighters, police officers and other rescue responders eligible to receive federal death benefits if the officer dies in the line of duty. Federal law had previously limited payment of the $250,000 death benefit to spouses and children of slain officers. Under the new provision, if the deceased officer has no surviving spouse or children, the death benefits will be paid to the beneficiary listed on the officer's most recently executed life insurance policy. Considered a major victory for gay and lesbian rights supporters, the law is retroactive to Sept. 11, 20,01 and covers officers killed in the terrorist attacks.

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