(a) Subject to subdivisions (b) and (c), if the eligible family members of a deceased peace officer or firefighter of a contracting agency, as described in subdivision (a) of Section 22820, are validly enrolled under this part on the date of the employee’s death, the contracting agency shall continue to pay the employer contribution applicable to active employees for the continued enrollment of those eligible family members for a period not to exceed 120 days, beginning in the month of the employee’s death.

(b) A contracting agency shall remit the amounts required under Section 22901 as well as the total amount of premium required from the employer under this part in accordance with regulations of the board. Enrollment of the eligible family members shall be continuous following the death of the employee.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the contracting agency’s obligation to pay the employer contribution pursuant to this section shall terminate upon either of the following:

(1) Enrollment of the eligible family members pursuant to Section 22820.

(2) A final determination of the board that the deceased employee’s family members are not eligible to enroll or continue enrollment under this part.

(d) During the period that enrollment is continued pursuant to this section, the surviving spouse or eldest eligible family member shall retain the rights and obligations that otherwise would be applicable to the employee under this part.

(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 69, Sec. 22. Effective June 24, 2004.)