Permits the widow of Luis Palermo to apply for a World Trade Center related accidental death benefit for participation in the rescue, recovery, and clean-up operations as a member of the Nassau county police department.
Summary
This bill authorizes the widow of Luis Palermo to submit a new application for an accidental death retirement benefit and a special accidental death retirement benefit through the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System. It also directs that Palermo’s World Trade Center notice be treated as approved, notwithstanding prior rules or timing limits, based on his service as a Nassau County police officer who participated in rescue, recovery, and clean-up operations connected to the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The bill is narrowly tailored to one individual case. It states that the new application must be filed within one year of the act’s effective date and that the costs of implementation are to be borne by Nassau County, which may amortize the expense over ten years. The act would take effect immediately.
Impact
The bill creates a special statutory exception to existing retirement and death-benefit procedures under the Retirement and Social Security Law and the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System. It overrides contrary provisions to allow a new filing and to deem the World Trade Center notice approved, thereby enabling potential eligibility for benefits that may otherwise have been unavailable because of filing or notice requirements. The fiscal note estimates a one-time past service cost of $6.25 million to Nassau County, or about $798,000 annually if amortized over ten years.
Sentiment
The available materials suggest a supportive, remedial purpose rather than controversy in the legislative process. The bill was introduced, recommitted, amended, and discharged from committee, which indicates continued legislative attention to advancing the measure. No recorded votes or committee transcripts are provided, so there is no direct evidence of opposition or debate in the supplied record.
Contention
The main point of contention inherent in the bill is its departure from ordinary benefit-application rules by granting a retroactive, individualized exception for one widow and by deeming a World Trade Center notice approved despite the officer’s limited participation window. Another potential issue is fiscal responsibility, since the bill places the cost on Nassau County rather than the state retirement system. Any concern would likely center on precedent, fairness to similarly situated applicants, and the financial impact on the county.
Same As
Permits the widow of Luis Palermo to apply for a World Trade Center related accidental death benefit for participation in the rescue, recovery, and clean-up operations as a member of the Nassau county police department.
Permits the widow of Luis Palermo to apply for a World Trade Center related accidental death benefit for participation in the rescue, recovery, and clean-up operations as a member of the Nassau county police department.
Provides accidental disability retirement benefits for deputy sheriff Richard Stueber, a participant in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, and cleanup operations.
Provides accidental disability retirement benefits for deputy sheriff Richard Stueber, a participant in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, and cleanup operations.
Permits any member of PERS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for disability resulting from participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations.
Permits any member of PERS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for disability resulting from participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations.
Provides certain enhanced disability retirement benefits for Kyle Brower relating to participation in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations, and who retired in 2013.