Bronx, New York – Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) introduced a bill that will help protect the families of public servants who died protecting their community. This bill would create a Deceased Police Officer, Firefighter, and Emergency Medical Services Family Housing Fund that will pay up to $1,000 per month per family to help offset the cost of rent payments or mortgage payments for eligible recipients. This assistance, administered by the New York State Comptroller, would be in addition to pension benefits, life insurance payments, and non-profit organizational direct payments.

“Every day, thousands of individuals around the state put their lives on the line to protect our communities. I am glad to take this step to help protect their families from financial hardship when tragedy occurs. We in the Bronx know firsthand the sacrifices that our first responders make, after at least three high profile on-duty deaths in the past year. This bill is a no brainer and I encourage my colleagues to pass this bill as soon as session begins again in January,” said Dinowitz.

The bill was introduced by Senator Jose Peralta in the New York State Senate, and is supported by the NYC Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, Uniformed Firefighters Association, and Uniformed EMS Officers Union. The Bronx was rocked last month after the shooting of a uniformed police officer and mother of three, Miosotis Familia, in her patrol vehicle. FDNY EMT and mother of five, Yadira Arroyo, was run over with her own ambulance in March. In November, NYPD Sergeant and father of two Paul Tuozzolo was shot by an individual with a criminal history while saving the life of fellow police officers.