Bill > S03815

This bill amends the General Municipal Law to extend accidental death benefits to children of deceased public safety workers under more generous terms. Specifically, the legislation allows children who were under the age of 25 at the time of the member's death to receive special accidental death benefits for their entire lifetime, instead of the previous age limits of 18 or 23. The bill applies to public safety workers in various roles, including police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other municipal employees in certain uniformed positions. The change means that if a public safety worker dies accidentally, their children can receive a pension benefit equal to the deceased member's salary, even if they are over 18 but under 25 at the time of death. The bill also includes a provision that allows some previously ineligible children of deceased police department members to apply for benefits within one year of the act's effective date, with some restrictions. The fiscal note indicates this will result in increased employer contributions to pension systems, with an estimated total cost of over $100 million in the first year, primarily affecting New York City's police and fire pension funds.

Government Affairs, Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3815