Bill > A06756

This bill provides enhanced death benefits for certain correction officers employed by Orange County, specifically those with titles of correction officer, correction officer-sergeant, correction officer-captain, assistant warden, associate warden, or warden. Under the proposed legislation, if a qualifying correction officer would have been eligible for service retirement at the time of their death (on or after the effective date), their beneficiary can elect to receive a lump sum payment equal to either the pension reserve that would have been established had the member retired on their date of death, or the value of the death benefit and reserve-for-increased-take-home-pay, whichever is greater. The bill stipulates that Orange County will bear all past service costs associated with implementing these provisions, which can be amortized over a ten-year period. According to the fiscal note, this will result in an estimated annual increase of approximately $42,000 in county contributions and a one-time past service cost of about $324,000, based on 305 affected members with an annual salary of around $33.7 million as of March 31, 2024. The legislation is designed to provide additional financial protection for the families of correction officers who die while still employed and potentially eligible for retirement.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6756