BILL NUMBER: S8058A
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the retirement and social security law, in relation to
disability retirement benefits for the presumption of cancer affecting
the endocrine and thyroid systems and Parkinson's Disease for certain
firefighters
 
PURPOSE:
Relates to disability retirement benefits for the presumption of cancer
affecting the endocrine and thyroid systems and Parkinson's Disease for
certain firefighters
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends section 63-h of the retirement and social security
law, to to establish that conditions of impairment of health caused by
endocrine/thyroid cancer and Parkinson's Disease resulting in total or
partial disability or death for paid firefighters employed by the New
York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs shall be presumptive
evidence that the disease was performed in the discharge of duty.
Section 2: Amends section 607-k of the retirement and social security
law, to allow certain airport firefighters and safety officers employed
by the Division of Military and Naval Affairs to qualify for disability
retirement if they become disabled due to heart disease, specific
cancers, lung disease, or Parkinson's disease.
Section 3: Sets effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The widespread use of plastics and chemical compounds in recent decades
has greatly increased the toxic exposures firefighters face, particular-
ly those stationed at civilian and military air bases. Emerging
research has linked these exposures to a higher risk of developing
Parkinson's disease and endocrine or thyroid cancers. A recent study by
the Neurotoxin Institute found that firefighters are diagnosed with
Parkinson's at a rate of 30 per 1,000-100 times higher than the general
population's rate of 0.3 per 1,000- with some cases appearing as early
as their 30s and 40s. In 2021, New York State acknowledged this height-
ened risk for municipal firefighters by enacting Chapter 704, which
provides presumptive disability benefits. This new legislation extends
those same protections to civilian firefighters employed by the Division
of Military and Naval Affairs, ensuring parity across the firefighting
workforce.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
See Fiscal Note.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This law shall take effect immediately

Statutes affected:
S8058: 63-h retirement and social security law, 607-k retirement and social security law
S8058A: 63-h retirement and social security law, 607-k retirement and social security law