BILL NUMBER: S8443
SPONSOR: RHOADS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York and the
civil service law, in relation to health insurance coverage for surviv-
ing dependents following the death of a police officer by suicide
 
PURPOSE: To amend the administrative code of the city of New York and
the civil services law, in relation to health insurance coverage for
surviving dependents following the death of a police officer by suicide.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Paragraph 2 of subdivision b of section 12-126 of the admin-
istrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new
subparagraph (v) to read as follows:
(v) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, where an
active or retired member of the police department dies by suicide and is
enrolled in a health insurance plan, the surviving spouse or domestic
partner and any other dependents shall be afforded the right to such
health insurance coverage which is predicated on the insured's enroll-
ment in the hospital and medical program for the aged and disabled under
the social security act as it is provided for retirees and their depen-
dents as set forth in a subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, for ninety
days following such death.
§ 2. Section 165 of the civil service law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 3 to read.
§ 3. Subdivision 2 of section 161-a of the civil service law, as added
by chapter 307 of the laws of 1979, is amended.
§ 4. This act shall take effect imme lately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Under current law, when a police officer dies in the line of duty, their
dependents are entitled to accidental death benefits and continued
health insurance coverage. This bill proposes to extend those same
protections to the families of current or retired officers who die by
suicide. The legislation acknowledges that suicide, particularly when
driven by job-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), should be
considered a lineof-duty death. It recognizes the significant mental and
emotional strain police officers endure throughout their careers-often
with long-term and devastating effects on their mental health.
To ensure support during a time of immense grief, this bill guarantees
that surviving spouses and dependents will retain full health insurance
coverage for 90 days following the officer's death. This applies to the
same plan the officer was enrolled in prior to their passing, offering
vital stability during a difficult transition.
Investment in mental health resources and suicide prevention for both
active and retired police officers is essential. This legislation
protects those who lose their battle to PTSD and depression. Most impor-
tantly, this legislation ensures that the families of officers who lose
their lives to suicide are not forgotten. Just as we honor those who
fall in the line of duty, we must also care for those whose deaths stem
from the invisible wounds of service.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S8443: 165 civil service law, 161-a civil service law, 161-a(2) civil service law