Bill > A08874

This bill allows certain retired members of the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System, or their surviving spouses, to file an application for accidental disability retirement with a firefighters' cancer disability presumption if their original filing deadline expired during the COVID-19 state disaster emergency declared in March 2020. Specifically, these individuals can submit their application along with an option election form to the state comptroller within one year of the bill's effective date, and such application will be considered timely filed. This provision provides a retroactive opportunity for those who missed their original filing deadline due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic. The bill stipulates that any additional costs associated with implementing this legislation will be paid by the state of New York. The fiscal note indicates that while the exact number of potentially affected retirees is expected to be very rare, for the one known surviving spouse who might be eligible, the cost could be approximately $240,000 if paid in March 2026.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8874