What's happening
This bill expands volunteer firefighter benefits to cover participation in approved physical fitness programs at firehouses or approved facilities.
Why it matters
Broadens coverage for injuries. The bill clarifies that volunteer firefighters are protected under the benefit law not just during formal, supervised group fitness classes, but also while participating in individual or group physical fitness activities—such as using weights or cardio equipment—at approved facilities.
Encourages physical readiness. By covering approved fitness activities, this legislation incentivizes firefighters to maintain their physical health, which is crucial for safely and effectively performing their emergency duties.
Limits to approved activities and locations. The protection applies only to fitness programs established or approved by the fire department or company, and must take place at designated locations, ensuring that the benefit is connected to legitimate firefighter training and readiness, not unrelated sporting events.
Excludes competitive sports. The bill maintains a clear boundary by continuing to exclude coverage for injuries incurred during competitive sporting events, focusing the benefits strictly on fitness activities meant to improve job performance.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Cover Fitness for Firefighters
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to local governments
- Referred to local governments
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
693
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. MAGNARELLI, GUNTHER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments
AN ACT to amend the volunteer firefighters' benefit law, in relation to physical fitness programs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph p of subdivision 1 of section 5 of the volunteer firefighters' benefit law, as added by chapter 614 of the laws of 1986, is amended to read as follows:
p. While, within the state and pursuant to orders or authorization, [instructing, supervising, being instructed or] participating in a [supervised] physical fitness [class, group session or program for the purpose of promoting or maintaining the performance of their duties] program established by a fire department or fire company and consisting of individual or group training or the utilization of free weights and cardiovascular, strength, flexibility or other equipment and is located at a firehouse or any other facility that is approved by such fire department or fire company for the purpose of promoting or maintaining their physical ability to perform the duties assigned as firefighters, [as well as necessary travel to and necessary travel from such activity,] but shall not include competitive sporting events in which volunteer firefighters are competitors.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00568-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.