New York Assembly Bill A04675

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/4/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Establishes the payment of certain volunteer firefighter and volunteer ambulance worker death benefits shall be within ninety days of the filing of application to receive such death benefit.

Summary

This bill would amend New York’s volunteer firefighters’ benefit law and volunteer ambulance workers’ benefit law to require that death benefits be paid within 90 days after the eligible person or persons file an application with the Workers’ Compensation Board. The 90-day deadline would not apply if the employer or insurance carrier files a notice of controversy under the Workers’ Compensation Law. If the claim cannot be processed within that period because of a discrepancy, the Board must send the claimant written notice within the 90 days explaining the problem and why the claim cannot be completed on time. The bill also directs the Workers’ Compensation Board to conduct outreach services and provide coordinated information to beneficiaries about assistance available for navigating the death benefit application process. The measure is intended to speed up benefit delivery and improve communication for surviving family members or other entitled recipients after the death of a volunteer firefighter or volunteer ambulance worker.

Impact

The bill would add new section 7-b to both the Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefit Law and the Volunteer Ambulance Workers’ Benefit Law, creating a statutory processing deadline for death benefit claims and a notice requirement when claims are delayed. It would also impose an outreach obligation on the Workers’ Compensation Board, affecting how the Board administers and communicates about these benefit programs. The practical effect would be to strengthen procedural protections for beneficiaries and potentially accelerate payment of death benefits to eligible survivors.

Sentiment

The bill appears generally supportive of volunteer emergency responders and their families, with a clear policy goal of reducing delays in death benefit payments. No committee transcript or vote data is available, but the caption and text suggest a straightforward, beneficiary-focused measure likely to receive favorable treatment because it addresses administrative timeliness and access to benefits. The inclusion of outreach language also indicates an emphasis on helping claimants navigate the process rather than merely imposing a deadline.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the mandatory 90-day payment timeline, which could be viewed by employers, insurance carriers, or the Workers’ Compensation Board as difficult to meet in cases involving incomplete applications, disputed claims, or documentation problems. The bill partially addresses that concern by allowing an exception when a notice of controversy is filed and by requiring written notice when a discrepancy prevents timely processing. Another possible concern is the administrative burden of the new outreach requirement, though the bill does not specify funding or implementation details.