Bill > A08628

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 sections 552 and 553 of the Retirement and Social Security Law, even though he was not initially enrolled. The county can elect this option by filing a resolution with the state comptroller within 180 days of the act becoming law, certifying that Leonard did not intentionally bar himself from the plan. If approved, Leonard can individually elect to be covered by the plan and have his service credited retroactively from August 1, 2020. All associated employer past service costs will be borne by Rockland County and can be amortized over a five-year period. The fiscal note indicates this will result in an approximate $13,000 annual increase in county contributions and a one-time past service cost of about $199,000, which can be spread out over five years at roughly $44,500 per year including interest. The bill is designed to provide Leonard with a retirement option he was previously unable to access through no fault of his own.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8628