Paragraph VI. - Gratuities.

(a)

Except as otherwise provided in the constitution, (1) the general assembly shall not have the power to grant any donation or gratuity or to forgive any debt or obligation owing to the public, and (2) the general assembly shall not grant or authorize extra compensation to any public officer, agent, or contractor after the service has been rendered or the contract entered into.

(b)

All laws heretofore adopted under article III, section VIII, paragraph XII of the Constitution of 1976 in force and effect on June 30, 1983, shall continue in force and effect and may be amended if such amendments are consistent with the authority granted to the general assembly by such provisions of said constitution.

(c)

The general assembly may provide by law and may expend or authorize the expenditure of public funds for a health insurance plan or program for persons and the spouses and dependent children of persons who are retired former employees of public schools or public school systems of this state.

(d)

The general assembly may provide by law for indemnification with respect to licensed emergency management rescue specialists who are or have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty on or after January 1, 1991, and publicly employed emergency medical technicians who are or have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty on or after January 1, 1987.

(e)

The general assembly may provide by law for a program of indemnification with respect to the death or permanent disability of any law enforcement officer, fireman, prison guard, or publicly employed emergency medical technician who is or at any time in the past was killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. Funds shall be appropriated as necessary for payment of such indemnification or for the purchase of insurance for such indemnification or both.

(f)

The general assembly is authorized to provide by law for compensating innocent victims of crimes which occur on and after July 1, 1989. The general assembly is authorized to define the types of victims eligible to receive compensation and to vary the amounts of compensation according to need. The general assembly shall be authorized to allocate certain funds, to appropriate funds, to provide for a continuing fund, or to provide for any combination thereof for the purpose of compensating innocent victims of crime and for the administration of any laws enacted for such purpose.

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