BILL NUMBER: S7938
SPONSOR: ASHBY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to authorizing Kristin Proud to receive certain
service credit with the New York state and local employees' retirement
system
 
PURPOSE:
To grant full-time service credit in the NYS and Local Employees'
Retirement System for her volunteer employment assisting the commission-
er of health as a member of New York's "surge healthcare force" during
the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 grants full-time service credit in the NYS and Local Employ-
ees' Retirement System for Kristin Proud's volunteer employment assist-
ing the commissioner of health as a member of New York's "surge health-
care force" during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her volunteer time began March
25, 2020 and ended November 8, 2020.
Section 2 states that all past service costs of implementing the
provisions of this act shall be borne by the state of New York.
Section 3 authorizes this act to take effect immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Kristin Proud is currently the Executive Director for the NYS Council on
Developmental Disabilities (CDD), and was previously the Commissioner of
the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. During the onset
of the COVID pandemic in March of 2020, Kristin Proud was asked by the
Governor's Office to work directly with then Commissioner of Health, Dr.
Howard Zucker, on a volunteer basis. At that point, no one knew how long
the pandemic would rage. For 8 months, Kristin Proud, volunteered for
New York's "surge healthcare force" and did not receive any health
insurance benefits, salary/hourly pay, or pension system credit. After 8
months, she was asked to be one of the leaders of the COVID vaccination
program effort, and at that point in November 2020, she went on the
State payroll as a DOH employee.
This bill seeks to grant 8 months of full-time service credit in the NYS
and Local Employees' Retirement System (NYSLERS) to Kristin Proud.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Fiscal note attached; past service cost of approximately $20,800 which
will be borne by the State of New York as a one-time payment.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.