Relates to increasing certain special accidental death benefits; increases the special accidental death benefit paid to a widow or widower or the deceased member's children under the age of eighteen, or if a student, under the age of twenty-three.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A4079B
SPONSOR: Joyner (MS) TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the general municipal law and the
retirement and social security law, in relation to increasing certain
special accidental death benefits
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation extends the escalation of a cost of living increase of
approximately 3% for all line-of-duty widows or widowers for fiscal year
2019-20.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill amends subdivision c of section 208-f of the General Municipal
Law as amended by Chapter 76 of the Laws of 2017 and subdivision c of
section 361-a of the Retirement and Social Security Law, as amended by
Chapter 76 of the Laws of 2017.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
Amended to include an updated NYC fiscal note.
JUSTIFICATION:
Since 1978, the Legislature has passed and the Governor signed into law
a cost of living increase and a one-year escalation for all New York
State widows and widowers of police officers and firefighters killed in
the line-of-duty. The intent of the original 1978 law was to increase
their benefits to an amount that would reflect the impact of inflation.
However, the law did not provide for any new cost of living increase
after July 1, 1979.
Since that date, the cost of living has increased well over 3% each
year, including some periods of double-digit inflation. These same
widows and widowers are no longer receiving adequate benefits. This
Legislation does not totally cover the present inflation spiral, but it
at least provides some increased relief to the widows and widowers of
New York State's bravest citizens, who gave their lives in service to
the people of New York State. In the past, these brave families have
faced a poverty stricken existence. This legislation would prevent the
return of that deplorable state of affairs. As with previous legis-
lation, there is no cost to the localities, as the state would reimburse
them for this small increase.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2018: S.7158B - Chapter 179
2017: S.4588-A - Chapter 76
2016: S.7179-A - Chapter 347
2015: S.4081-A - Chapter 23
2014: S.6467-A - Chapter 104
2013: S.4257-B - Chapter 196
2012: S.6438-A - Chapter 285
2011: S.3994-A - Chapter 161
2010: S.6879 - Chapter 439
2009: S.2343 - Chapter 305
2008: S.6733 - Chapter 76
2007: S.2492 - Chapter 39
2006: S.6744 - Chapter 88
2005: S.3971-C - Chapter 48
2004: S.6579-C - Chapter 351
2003: S.3903 - Chapter 139
2002: S.7263 - Chapter 313
2001: S.3297-A - Chapter 264
2000: S.6866-A - Chapter 231
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
See fiscal notes.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect July 1, 2019.
