Bill > A08059

This bill provides special authorization for Deborah Palermo, the widow of Luis Palermo, to apply for a World Trade Center-related accidental death benefit through the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System. Luis Palermo was a Nassau County police officer who participated in 9/11 rescue, recovery, and clean-up operations for 29 hours between September 11, 2001, and September 12, 2002, and subsequently passed away on September 4, 2017, from end-stage pulmonary fibrosis believed to be connected to his first responder work. The bill allows her to file a new application for an accidental death retirement benefit within one year of the act's effective date, despite potential previous legal restrictions. All costs associated with this benefit, estimated at approximately $5.93 million, will be borne by Nassau County and can be amortized over a 10-year period, with annual costs around $757,000. Currently, Deborah Palermo is collecting 100% of the optional service retirement benefit, and this bill would provide her an additional accidental death benefit recognizing her husband's service during the World Trade Center response efforts.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8059