What's happening
This bill allows volunteer firefighters to use alternative documentation to prove eligibility for enhanced cancer disability benefits if standard records are unavailable.
Why it matters
Expands access to cancer benefits for volunteer firefighters. who may lack standard mask fit test records, ensuring more eligible individuals are not excluded due to missing or lost documentation.
Empowers the Office of Fire Prevention and Control. to define and accept a broader range of alternative proof (such as training records or incident reports), potentially reducing bureaucratic barriers and administrative delays for claimants.
Acknowledges the realities of volunteer fire service recordkeeping. , which can be inconsistent—especially in small or rural departments—thereby making benefits more attainable for long-serving volunteers.
Automatically sunsets after 10 years. , allowing for future legislative review to assess the impact and effectiveness of the changes before making them permanent.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Easier Proof for Firefighter Benefits
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
14 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Substituted by S4173A
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.360
- Rules report cal.360
- Reported
- Reported referred to rules
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Print number 5957a
- Amend (t) and recommit to local governments
- Referred to local governments
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Easier Proof for Firefighter Benefits
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Jim Gaughran
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5957--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 20, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER, D'URSO, LAVINE, LUPARDO, BARRETT, BYRNE, McDONALD, BUTTENSCHON, STECK, MANKTELOW, BRONSON -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to proof of eligibility for volunteer firefighter enhanced cancer disability benefits; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph a of subdivision 1 of section 205-cc of the general municipal law, as amended by chapter 334 of the laws of 2017, is amended and a new subdivision 8 is added to read as follows:
(ii) Having submitted proof of five years of interior firefighting service by providing verification that he or she has passed at least five yearly certified mask fitting tests as set forth in 29 CFR 1910.134 or the [current] applicable National Fire Protection Association standards for mask fit testing.
8. In the absence of the documentation required in paragraph a of subdivision one of this section, the volunteer firefighter shall be eligible if they submit alternative documentation as determined by the office of fire prevention and control. The office of fire prevention and control shall promulgate rules and regulations as to an acceptable combination of alternative documentation and such documentation shall include, but not be limited to, training records, documentation that the firefighter was an active interior volunteer firefighter as evidenced by National Fire Incident Reports submitted by the volunteer's fire department, or any other combination of official documents capable of evidencing that the firefighter meets the requirements of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed 10 years after such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09470-02-9
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.