Relates to disability retirement benefits for the presumption of cancer affecting the endocrine and thyroid systems and Parkinson's Disease for certain firefighters.
Summary
This bill amends two sections of the New York retirement and social security law to expand disability retirement presumptions for certain airport firefighters and related Division of Military and Naval Affairs personnel. Under the bill, if an eligible member passed an entry physical that did not show the relevant condition, then disability or death caused by cancer affecting the endocrine or thyroid systems, as well as Parkinson’s Disease, would be presumed to have been incurred in the performance of duty. The bill also retains existing presumptions for heart disease, melanoma, lung disease, and other listed cancers affecting specified body systems.
The measure applies to airport firefighter apprentices, airport firefighter I, II, and III, and training and safety officers covered by sections 63-h and 607-k. It also clarifies the application process for disability retirement, including medical examinations by the comptroller and the ability to file for service retirement at the same time without prejudice to the disability claim. The bill takes effect immediately.
Impact
The bill would broaden the categories of conditions that qualify for a presumption of duty-related disability retirement for covered airport firefighters, thereby making it easier for affected members or their survivors to receive performance-of-duty disability benefits. It would amend the Retirement and Social Security Law in two parallel provisions, one for the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System and one for the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System framework applicable to these employees. The fiscal note indicates the change could increase accidental disability and death classifications, creating additional pension costs shared by the state and participating employers, along with some administrative implementation costs.
Sentiment
The available materials suggest generally supportive sentiment toward the bill, as reflected by its advancement through committee and amendment process, with no recorded votes or transcripted opposition in the provided record. The bill appears framed as a benefits expansion for firefighters exposed to occupational hazards, and the fiscal note treats the proposal as a policy change with measurable retirement-system costs rather than questioning its underlying purpose. No committee debate is included, so the record does not show formal public disagreement, but the fiscal impact itself is likely to be the main practical concern.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely fiscal exposure: the actuarial note warns that expanding presumptive disability coverage would increase the number of claims treated as accidental disability or death cases, raising pension liabilities for NYSLERS and participating employers. A secondary issue is the scope of the presumption, specifically whether Parkinson’s Disease and endocrine/thyroid cancers should be added alongside the already-covered conditions for this occupational group. Because no committee transcript is provided, there is no documented opposition from a named stakeholder, but the cost implications and expansion of presumptions are the most likely areas of debate.
Same As
Relates to disability retirement benefits for the presumption of cancer affecting the endocrine and thyroid systems and Parkinson's Disease for certain firefighters.
Relates to disability retirement benefits for the presumption of cancer affecting the endocrine and thyroid systems and Parkinson's Disease for certain firefighters.
Provides for a line of duty disability presumption for any condition of impairment of health caused by diseases of the lung, resulting in total or partial disability or death of certain deputy sheriff members of a retirement system in certain cities.
Provides for a line of duty disability presumption for any condition of impairment of health caused by diseases of the lung, resulting in total or partial disability or death of certain deputy sheriff members of a retirement system in certain cities.
Provides for a line of duty disability presumption for any condition of impairment of health caused by diseases of the lung, resulting in total or partial disability or death of certain deputy sheriff members of a retirement system in certain cities.
Provides for a line of duty disability presumption for any condition of impairment of health caused by diseases of the lung, resulting in total or partial disability or death of certain deputy sheriff members of a retirement system in certain cities.
Amends provisions relating to creating a presumption relating to certain lung disabilities incurred by volunteer firefighters, in relation to the effectiveness of such provisions.
Amends provisions relating to creating a presumption relating to certain lung disabilities incurred by volunteer firefighters, in relation to the effectiveness of such provisions.
Establishes presumption for accidental disability retirement in PERS and PFRS that emergency medical technician, firefighter, and police officer has Parkinson's disease as result of employment.