Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that he co-sponsored and helped pass a bill that will provide a death benefit to the beneficiaries of any public employee who contracted and died of the COVID-19 virus. The benefit would function as a pension equal to 50% of the employee’s monthly salary (A.10528).

“The COVID-19 pandemic is an unparalleled disaster in our nation’s history, the likes of which I hope none of us ever see again in our lifetimes,” Jones said. “While we can never repay the immense debt owed to the courageous frontline workers who lost their lives to protect the safety of others, we can support their families through this difficult time. These heroes deserve to be forever remembered, and I’m proud to have co-sponsored a bill that will help the family members who will carry on their legacy.”

An employee qualifies for the death benefit if he or she:

• worked on or after March 1, 2020;
• worked in person, whether at the normal place of work or at another assigned place of work;
• contracted COVID-19;
• died on or before December 31, 2020; and
• COVID-19 caused or contributed to the employee's death.