Attorney General Chris Carr has joined a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general urging Congress to pass a bill known as the Safeguarding America’s First Responders Act. The bill would permit the families of first responders, who die or are permanently and totally disabled as a result of COVID-19, to receive the same federal benefits extended to first responders, or their survivors, otherwise killed or injured in the line of duty.

Current federal law would only allow survivors access to certain benefits if evidence is provided proving the deceased or permanently disabled first responder contracted COVID-19 while on duty.

“Our first responders are risking their lives each and every day to protect Georgians, and we need to have their backs,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “We believe this is a sensible solution to a very tragic problem that is happening and could continue to happen as a result of COVID-19. We will continue to keep our first responders in our thoughts and prayers.”

Every state Attorney General in the nation has endorsed the measure.