Bill introduced to redirect life insurance payouts to help victims of terrorists
State Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-10th, has introduced what he called a commonsense bill that limits life insurance payouts to beneficiaries of terrorists who die committing an act of terror — and redirects those benefits to victims.
“It’s a real common sense piece of legislation and I’m surprised something like this isn’t in place currently,” Bernstine said about House Bill 1996, which he introduced last week. Bernstine represents Slippery Rock Township in the House of Representatives.
Introduction of the bill was prompted by the Dec. 22 shooting in which an Egyptian immigrant fired gunshots at a Harrisburg police officer, striking the officer’s car before firing at a female state trooper who was struck and injured, he said.
Bernstine and the U.S. Homeland Security Department called it a terrorist attack. State and capitol police continue to investigate the shooting and haven’t labeled it.
The bill was written and Bernstine was circulating it to get co-sponsors before the shooting, but the incident prompted him to introduce it.
He said the bill won’t prevent a terror attack, but it redirects life insurance benefits from a terrorist’s family to his or her victims.
“I’m not naive enough to believe this will prevent a terrorist attack, but if someone does commit a terror attack this would prevent family from benefiting. They should not be able to maintain and keep the money they get from life insurance. This would benefit victims of terrorism,” Bernstine said.
The bill should receive support from Democrats, Republicans and independents, he said, adding that he expects it to be assigned to the House Insurance Committee.
“I don’t believe you deserve to keep your life insurance benefits if you intentionally steal the lives of innocent Americans,” Bernstine said. “Currently, a terrorist can take out a large life insurance policy during the planning process of their horrific crimes to benefit their heirs or their families, such was the case with the 2015 San Bernardino attack. To me, it’s a no-brainer that victims and their families are the ones who should be getting that money.”
