Establishes death benefits for heirs of non-uniform correction department employees killed in line of duty

BILL NUMBER:A281

Title of bill

An act to amend the correction law, in relation to providing death benefits for the heirs of employees killed in the line of duty

Purpose of general idea of bill

To authorize payment of a lump sum death benefit to the heirs of a non- uniformed employee of the Depart- ment of Correctional Services when such an employee is killed in the line of duty.

Summary of specific provisions

Adds a new §623 to the Correction Law to authorize a lump sum payment to the heir of a non-uniform employee of the Department of Correctional Service killed in the line of duty.

Justification

The heirs of uniformed Correction Officers and other public safety officers killed in the line of duty are currently entitled to receive $50,000 pursuant to the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C. 3796 et seq. The heirs of most, if not all, civilian employees of the Department of Correctional Services killed in the line of duty are not presently entitled to such benefits.

Civilians who work in facilities of the Department of Correctional Services play an essential role in the control and rehabilitation of the New York State inmate population. If this bill is enacted, the heirs of these civilians would be eligible for benefits similar to those present- ly authorized for uniformed Correctional Services staff under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act when such staff are killed in the line of duty.

Prior legislative history

2007-2008: A.260-B Referred to Corrections, Reported to Ways and Means 2005-2006: A.424 - Reported to Ways and Means 2003-2004: A.4932 - Reported to Ways and Means

Fiscal implications

The additional State expenditures resulting from enactment of this bill would be minimal, since deaths that would give rise to payments under this bill are very rare.

Effective date

Immediately.