What's happening
This bill makes permanent the presumption that certain lung disabilities in volunteer firefighters are work-related.
Why it matters
Ensures long-term health protection. By making the presumption permanent, volunteer firefighters will have ongoing legal recognition that certain lung disabilities are likely work-related, making it easier to access benefits and healthcare without repeatedly justifying their condition.
Reduces administrative and legal hurdles. Permanency means firefighters and their families won’t have to worry about the rule expiring, removing uncertainty and avoiding frequent legislative renewals or gaps in coverage.
Acknowledges ongoing occupational risks. This legislation recognizes the persistent health hazards faced by volunteer firefighters, reinforcing the state’s commitment to supporting those who serve their communities in high-risk, unpaid roles.
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Who cares
Volunteer firefighters with certain lung disabilities
The bill would make permanent the provisions creating a presumption relating to their disabilities under the Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefit Law.
Volunteer fire departments
The bill would remove the June 30, 2020 expiration date for lung-disability presumption provisions affecting their volunteers.
Administrators of volunteer firefighter benefits
The bill would keep the existing lung-disability presumption provisions in place permanently rather than allowing them to expire.
Headline styles
Permanent Lung Protection for Firefighters
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
20 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred 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.
Protect Volunteer Firefighters' Lungs
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Pete Harckham
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7352
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 26, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. BUCHWALD -- read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments
AN ACT to amend chapter 606 of the laws of 2006, amending the volunteer firefighters' benefit law, relating to creating a presumption relating to certain lung disabilities incurred by volunteer firefighters, in relation to making such provisions permanent
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 2 of chapter 606 of the laws of 2006, amending the volunteer firefighters' benefit law, relating to creating a presumption relating to certain lung disabilities incurred by volunteer firefighters, as amended by chapter 25 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately [and shall expire and be deemed repealed June 30, 2020].
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10183-01-9
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.