Bill > S05432

This bill increases benefits for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers by significantly raising the weekly compensation rates for various types of disability benefits. The bill modifies several sections of the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law and the Volunteer Ambulance Workers' Benefit Law to double or substantially increase weekly payments for permanent and temporary total and partial disability. Specifically, for permanent total disability, the weekly benefit increases from $600 to $1,200; for temporary total disability, the weekly benefit increases from $650 to $800 for injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2025; and for permanent partial disability, the weekly benefits are raised based on the percentage of earning capacity loss, with the highest tier increasing from $400 to $800 for injuries occurring on or after March 1, 2025. The bill also updates language to be gender-neutral, replacing phrases like "he or she" with more inclusive terms. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum lump sum payment for serious disfigurement from $20,000 to $40,000. These changes aim to provide more financial support for volunteer emergency workers who are injured in the line of duty, recognizing the critical and often dangerous work they perform in their communities.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5432