New York Assembly Bill A08914

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 7/16/25
• Refer: 7/16/25

Caption

Provides that where an active or retired police officer dies by suicide and is enrolled in a health insurance plan, the surviving dependents of such police officer shall be entitled to such health insurance coverage for ninety days following such police officer's death.

Summary

This bill would require continued health insurance coverage for the surviving spouse or domestic partner and other dependents of an active or retired New York City police officer or other police officer who dies by suicide, provided the officer was enrolled in coverage at the time of death. The coverage would continue for 90 days after the officer’s death, and would include the same health insurance benefits available to retirees and their dependents, including coverage tied to Medicare-related enrollment where applicable. The bill amends both the New York City Administrative Code and the Civil Service Law to create this 90-day continuation right and to make those new provisions controlling over any conflicting regulations or laws. It applies to covered dependents of police officers who die by suicide, and it is written to override inconsistent rules issued under existing civil service provisions. The act would take effect immediately.

Impact

The bill would expand and clarify post-death health insurance continuation rights for surviving dependents of police officers in New York, specifically in cases of suicide. It would amend section 12-126 of the New York City Administrative Code and sections 165 and 161-a of the Civil Service Law, creating a new statutory entitlement to 90 days of continued coverage and ensuring that these provisions supersede conflicting administrative regulations or other laws. The practical effect would be to protect surviving spouses, domestic partners, and covered dependents from an immediate loss of health benefits after the death of an active or retired officer.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be framed as a compassionate benefits-protection bill rather than a controversial policy change. Its purpose is to provide short-term continuity of health coverage for grieving families of police officers, which suggests likely support from members concerned with survivor benefits and public employee welfare. No contrary positions are documented in the available materials.

Contention

The main policy issue is the scope of the benefit and the special treatment of police officers’ families in cases of suicide. Supporters would likely emphasize the need to prevent coverage gaps for surviving dependents and to recognize the unique hardships faced by families after an officer’s death. Potential concerns could include the narrow class of beneficiaries, the 90-day duration, and the bill’s interaction with existing civil service and municipal health plan rules, but no specific opposition or debate is recorded in the provided materials.