(1) A one hundred fifty thousand dollar death benefit shall be paid to the member's estate, or such person or persons, trust or organization as the member shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department. If there be no such designated person or persons still living at the time of the member's death, such member's death benefit shall be paid to the member's surviving spouse or domestic partner as if in fact such spouse or domestic partner had been nominated by written designation, or if there be no such surviving spouse or domestic partner, then to such member's legal representatives.

     (2)(a) The benefit under this section shall be paid only where death occurs as a result of (i) injuries sustained in the course of employment; or (ii) an occupational disease or infection that arises naturally and proximately out of employment covered under this chapter. The determination of eligibility for the benefit shall be made consistent with Title 51 RCW by the department of labor and industries. The department of labor and industries shall notify the department of retirement systems by order under RCW 51.52.050.

     (b) The retirement allowance paid to the spouse or domestic partner and dependent children of a member who is killed in the course of employment, as set forth in *RCW 41.05.011(14), shall include reimbursement for any payments of premium rates to the Washington state health care authority under RCW 41.05.080.

[2009 c 522 § 7. Prior: 2007 c 488 § 1; 2007 c 487 § 9; 1996 c 226 § 2.]

NOTES:

     *Reviser's note: RCW 41.05.011 was amended by 2009 c 537 § 3, changing subsection (14) to subsection (16), effective January 1, 2010.

     Short title -- 2007 c 488: "This act shall be known as "The Steve Frink's and Jim Saunder's Law" in honor of Steve Frink and Jim Saunders, Washington state patrol officers who were killed in the line of duty." [2007 c 488 § 5.]

     Effective date -- 1996 c 226: See note following RCW 41.26.048.