Prohibits the diminution of health insurance benefits of public employee retirees and their dependents or reducing the employer's contributions for such insurance; defines employers to include the state, municipalities, school districts, and public authorities and commissions.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A5108
SPONSOR: Abbate TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to affecting the health insurance benefits and
contributions of certain retired public employees
PURPOSE:
This bill would ensure that the health insurance coverage for certain
retired firefighters, police officers, and their dependents are main-
tained.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one provides that the level of health insurance benefits, and
the employer contributions made toward such health insurance, for
certain retired firefighters, police officers, and their dependents
shall not be diminished below the benefits and contributions in place as
of May 1, 2008.
Section two provides that a collective bargaining agreement may grant a
higher level of protection.
Section three is the effective date.
EXISTING LAW:
None
JUSTIFICATION:
Our firefighters and police officers are acknowledged as true heroes who
place themselves in danger to protect their fellow citizens. Part of
society's obligation to our firefighters and police officers should be
to assure them of adequate health insurance, both during their working
years and into retirement. Although some other retirees, such as reti-
rees from school districts and BOCES, are afforded health insurance
protection by statute (see Chapter 729, Laws of 1994, as amended), there
is no statutory protection for firefighters and police officers. This
bill would correct that omission.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2015: S.3252 THIRD READING
2016: S.3252 REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
2017: S.4637 REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
2018: S.4637 REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
2019: S.2284 REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
2020: S.2284 REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
No new costs to state government. This legislation simply continues the
benefits and employer contributions being made as of May 1, 2008.
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately
