What's happening
This bill extends the New York State supplemental burial allowance to certified first responders who died from certified World Trade Center medical conditions.
Why it matters
Recognizes the sacrifices of 9/11 first responders. by extending supplemental burial benefits to those who died from certified World Trade Center-related medical conditions, acknowledging the long-term health impacts of their service.
Expands eligibility beyond military personnel. to include certified first responders, ensuring their families receive state financial support for burial costs in recognition of duty-related deaths.
Updates the legal definition of eligible beneficiaries. , clarifying that parents or those who acted as parents before September 11, 2001, are covered, which may broaden the range of family members eligible for assistance.
Addresses a gap in current law. by aligning state benefits with the unique, ongoing health consequences faced by first responders from the 9/11 attacks, providing parity with military burial benefits.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Burial Aid for First Responders
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 7
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5841
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 15, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KAPLAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a supplemental burial allowance for certain first responders
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The section heading and subdivision 1 of section 354-b of the executive law, as amended by section 1 of part C of chapter 328 of the laws of 2014, are amended to read as follows:
New York state supplemental burial allowance for members of the armed forces of the United States killed in combat or duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger, as defined in 37 USC § 310 and for certain certified first responders. 1. As used in this section, "parent" means a father, a mother, a father through adoption, a mother through adoption, or an individual who, for a period of not less than one year, at any time before the decedent's entry into active military service or at any time before September eleventh, two thousand one, stood in the relationship of a parent to a decedent who died in combat or duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger, as defined in 37 USC § 310, or who died from a wound incurred in combat or while serving on duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger, as defined in 37 USC § 310, or who was a certified first responder who died as a result of a certified World Trade Center medical condition or, if two persons stood in the relationship of a parent for one year or more, the person who bore the expenses of the funeral of the decedent.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11734-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a supplemental burial allowance for certain first respon- ders
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation would allow for a supplemental burial allowance for deceased first responders who died as a result of a World Trade Center medical condition.
Summary of provisions
Section 1:
Section one of this bill amends subdivision 1 of section 354-b of the executive law by adding "certified first responders" of the September eleventh, two thousand one attacks who have died as a result of a certi- fied World Trade Center medical condition making them eligible to receive the New York state supplemental burial allowance provided to military veterans.
Section two of this bill provides that this act shall take immediately.
Justification
Each day, the number of deaths for first responders who participated in World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup operations continues to grow. Almost eighteen years after the attacks on the World Trade Center, over ten thousand first responders and others in the disaster area have been diagnosed with cancer and other debilitating illnesses, and more than 2,000 deaths have been related to 9/11 related illness.
Even for first responders who are still in good health, the fear of future illness is constantly in their minds. However, these heroes still have to focus on providing financially for their families, and preparing for the potential risk of developing illness. The New York state supple- mental burial allowance for veterans of up to six thousand dollars being extended to first responders of the September eleventh, two thousand one attacks would provide families peace of mind in a time of worst circum- stance.
Prior legislative history
None
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.