NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A4436
SPONSOR: Abbate TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the retirement and social security law, in relation to
disability benefits for firefighters employed by the division of mili-
tary and naval affairs
PURPOSE:
This bill would grant more equitable disability pensions to airport
firefighters and training and safety officers in New York State division
of military and naval affairs who sustain a disability related to heart
disease, lung disease and certain forms of cancer.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends the retirement and social security law by adding two
new sections 63-g and 63-h which establish that any member of the
retirement system employed by the division of military and naval affairs
shall be eligible to retire pursuant to the provisions of this section
if he or she is an airport firefighter apprentice, firefighter I,
airport firefighter II, airport firefighter III or training and safety
officer.
Section two amends the social security law to establish that any member
of the retirement system employed by the division of military and naval
affairs shall be eligible to retire pursuant to the provisions of this
section if he or she is an airport firefighter apprentice, firefighter
I, airport firefighter II, airport firefighter III or training and safe-
ty officer.
Section three establishes the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill would grant improved disability pensions to airport firefight-
ers and training and safety officers in New York State division of mili-
tary and naval affairs who sustain a disability related to hem 1
disease, lung disease and certain forms of cancer. Currently, benefits
are approximately 1/3 of final average salary (FAS), and this bill would
increase benefits to 50 percent or 75 percent of FAS. Furthermore, the
bill would help individuals who sustain such disabilities to establish
the presumption that they were incurred in the performance and discharge
of duty, unless the contrary be proven by competent evidence. This piece
of legislation will help to ensure these brave men and women receive the
care they deserve.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2017: A. 8326 - Veto Memo 246
2016: S.8071 - Veto Memo. 261
2008: S.7934 - 3rd Reading Calendar/A.11111 - Passed Assembly.
2007: Veto 61
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
See the Bill
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
