Bill > S08164

This bill authorizes Rockland County to offer John F. Leonard Jr., a deputy sheriff hired on August 1, 2020, the option to participate in a 20-year retirement plan under the New York State Employees' Retirement System, despite missing the original enrollment opportunity. Specifically, the county can file a resolution with the state comptroller within 180 days of the bill becoming law, certifying that Leonard did not deliberately prevent his own participation in the retirement plan. If approved, Leonard can elect to be covered under sections 552 and 553 of the Retirement and Social Security Law and have his service credits applied retroactively to his start date. The county will be responsible for all associated past service costs, which are estimated at approximately $199,000, and can choose to amortize these costs over a five-year period. The bill will result in an estimated increase of about $13,000 in annual contributions for the county, with the potential for variation based on Leonard's future salary changes. The bill takes effect immediately and is designed to provide Leonard with a retirement benefit opportunity he previously missed through no fault of his own.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8164