New York Assembly Bill A11132

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/24/26
• Refer: 4/24/26

Caption

Allows Christopher Strattner, a retired police officer, to serve as chief of police for the town of Fishkill police department without diminution of retirement benefits

Summary

This bill creates a narrow, person-specific exception to New York’s retirement and social security law for Christopher Strattner, a retired police officer. It authorizes the supervisor of the Town of Fishkill to employ him as chief of police for the Fishkill police department while allowing him to continue receiving retirement benefits without the usual reduction or suspension that can apply when a retiree returns to public employment. To accomplish this, the bill amends section 211 of the Retirement and Social Security Law to add Fishkill/Strattner-specific language, including a new subdivision stating that Strattner’s post-retirement service as chief of police is not considered service with a former employer for these purposes. It also permits the town to waive earnings limitations otherwise applicable under section 212. The act applies only to Christopher Strattner and is not intended to establish a general rule for other retirees or municipalities.

Impact

The bill would modify the Retirement and Social Security Law by carving out an individualized exception to post-retirement employment restrictions and earnings limits for one named retiree. In practical terms, it would allow the Town of Fishkill to hire Christopher Strattner as police chief without triggering the standard pension-related consequences that can accompany reemployment of a retired public employee, and it would leave the rest of the statutory framework unchanged for everyone else.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be a targeted local personnel bill with no documented opposition or support in the available record. The drafting suggests a routine special authorization rather than a broad policy change, and the lack of transcripts or vote history means there is no evidence in the provided materials of significant controversy at this stage.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the bill’s highly specific, person-only exemption. Such bills can raise fairness and precedent concerns because they grant special treatment to one individual while leaving the general retirement rules in place for others. Any concern would likely center on whether the town should be allowed to bypass ordinary reemployment and earnings-limit rules for a retired police officer, but no explicit objections or supporters are identified in the available materials.