Grants David Morse, the parent of firefighter Peyton Morse, who was employed by the city of Watertown, accidental death benefits.
Summary
This bill is a private relief measure that authorizes David Morse, the parent of deceased Watertown firefighter Peyton Morse, to apply for and receive accidental death benefits under sections 361 and 361-a of the New York Retirement and Social Security Law. The bill applies notwithstanding any contrary law, rule, or regulation, and it specifically covers Peyton Morse, who was a Tier 6 member of the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System at the time of his death on March 12, 2021.
The bill also provides that any amounts previously paid to Peyton Morse, his estate, or David Morse before the new application is filed must be deducted from the accidental death benefit payable under this act. It takes effect immediately and directs that all costs be borne by the State of New York. The fiscal note estimates an immediate past service cost of approximately $1.70 million if enacted during the 2025 session.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would create a one-time exception to existing retirement law by allowing a parent, rather than a statutory beneficiary already recognized under the retirement system, to receive an accidental death benefit for a deceased firefighter. It would affect the administration of benefits under the Retirement and Social Security Law, particularly the provisions governing accidental death benefits for police and fire retirement system members, and would impose a state-funded fiscal obligation estimated at about $1.70 million.
Sentiment
The available materials suggest a sympathetic, remedial purpose focused on providing financial relief to the family of a deceased firefighter. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes in the provided context, there is no documented opposition or debate to gauge broader legislative sentiment. The bill’s framing and caption indicate support for honoring the circumstances of Peyton Morse’s death and extending benefits that were otherwise unavailable under existing eligibility rules.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the bill’s departure from standard beneficiary rules in the retirement system, since it creates a special exception for one named individual and shifts the cost to the state. Another possible issue is that the bill authorizes payment even though an ordinary death benefit was already paid, requiring any prior payments to be offset against the new benefit. No specific objections, supporters, or committee concerns are included in the provided record, so any contention is inferred from the structure of the measure rather than from documented debate.
Grants Lawrence Korzeniewski, the statutory beneficiary of Janice Korzeniewski, accidental death benefits because Janice Korzeniewski was directed by her employer to return to work and contracted COVID-19 within 45 days of reporting to work and died from such disease.
Increases accidental death benefit for surviving spouse or surviving children of certain PERS members and retirants; provides accidental death benefit to beneficiary of certain PERS and PFRS members and retirants; redefines child.
Increases accidental death benefit for surviving spouse or surviving children of certain PERS members and retirants; provides accidental death benefit to beneficiary of certain PERS and PFRS members and retirants; redefines child.