BILL NUMBER: S6306B
SPONSOR: JACKSON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the retirement and social security law, in relation to
providing WTC-related benefits to certain employees who worked at the
Verrazano Bridge Toll Facility
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to provide WTC-related benefits to employees
who worked at the Verrazano Bridge Toll Facility during the debris
removal from the World Trade Center.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends paragraph (e) of subdivision 36 of Section 2 of the
Retirement and Social Security law to include employees that worked at
the Verrazano Bridge Toll Facility during the rescue, recovery, or
cleanup operations at the World Trade Center.
Section 2 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Enacting the proposed bill is essential for providing coverage to
employees exposed to the harmful dust and debris that were removed from
the World Trade Center site. A large portion of the debris removed from
the World Trade Center site during the cleanup was transported across
the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to the Fresh Kills Landfill. The employees
who worked at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge were exposed to the same
harmful toxins as workers who performed rescue, recovery, or clean up,
including workers of the Fresh Kills Landfill. Considering these
factors, the employees who worked at the Verrazzano-Narrows bridge
should have the same benefits and protections that were provided to all
others exposed to these harmful toxins.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
See fiscal note.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed to have been
in full force and effect on and after September 11, 2001.