Bill > A04822

This bill amends the volunteer firefighters' and volunteer ambulance workers' benefit laws to provide special protections for volunteer emergency workers during a state of emergency related to COVID-19. Specifically, if a volunteer firefighter or ambulance worker is exposed to COVID-19 while performing line-of-duty services during a state of emergency, their department's executive officer can authorize them to receive immediate medical examinations, tests, treatments, and care to determine if they are injured. The bill creates a legal presumption that if these volunteers test positive for COVID-19 and suffer disability or death, it is presumed to be directly related to their work and not caused by their own negligence, unless proven otherwise by competent evidence. This means that such volunteers would be entitled to treatment, care, and disability benefits under their respective benefit laws, even if they had not previously filed a formal injury notice. The legislation aims to protect and support volunteer emergency workers who put themselves at risk while serving their communities during the pandemic.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4822