BILL NUMBER: S7375
SPONSOR: COONEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the New York state
district attorney and indigent legal services attorney loan forgiveness
program
 
PURPOSE:
This act will allow eligible attorneys to accrue credited time if they
have taken periods of leave without pay for certain circumstances.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill would amend Section 679-e of the education law to allow peri-
ods of leave without pay to be counted towards credited time when such
periods are taken for purposes of military service, authorized
maternity/paternity leave, family and medical leave, or compensable
injury. The legislation shall apply retroactively to have been in effect
on January 1, 2010.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The New York state district attorney and indigent legal services loan
forgiveness program encourages and rewards the dedicated public service
of prosecutors and public defenders. These attorneys provide for the
maintenance of our judicial system, and they ensure the proper execution
of New York residents' fundamental rights.
Under current law, eligible attorneys do not receive credited time for
certain periods of leave without pay that are beyond their control such
as military service and injury. The federal John R. Justice Loan
Forgiveness Program does not permit eligible district attorneys and
public defenders to receive credited time except for the four reasons
outlined in this bill. State law provides no such exceptions for periods
of leave without pay. This legislation will bring state law into parity
with federal law.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: S.6457 - referred to higher education
2023-24: S766 - referred to higher education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:;
This act shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed to have been
in full force and effect on and after January 1, 2010.