BILL NUMBER: S8011
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend chapter 668 of the laws of 1977, amending the volunteer
firefighters' benefit law relating to disability due to disease or
malfunction of the heart or coronary arteries, in relation to the effec-
tiveness thereof
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation would extend, until June 30, 2030, § 61 of the Volun-
teer Firefighters' Benefit Law, which governs benefits for the death or
disability of volunteer firefighters due to heart or coronary artery
disease.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends § 61 of the Volunteer Firefighters Benefits Law to
extend the presumption related to disability benefits for death or disa-
bility due to heart or coronary artery disease for an additional five
years.
Section two provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In 1977, the Legislature found that volunteer firefighters too often
suffered injuries or deaths resulting from heart attacks suffered in the
line of duty. The Legislature also found that claims of injuries from
heart attacks were often subjected to lengthy delays. As a result, the
Legislature established specific procedures to expedite the handling of
such claims. This legislation extends the provisions relating to disa-
bility due to heart disease which are scheduled to expire on June 30,
2025.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2020 - Chapter 58 of the Laws of 2020 (PPGG Part XXX subpart B item CC)
2015 - Chapter 26 of the Laws of 2015
2010 - Chapter 183 of the Laws of 2010
2005 - Chapter 138 of the Laws 2005
2003 - Chapter 89 of the Laws of 2003
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.