Planning and Development Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-965
AN ACT CONCERNING ELIGIBILITY FOR A CERTAIN MUNICIPAL DISABILITY
Title: BENEFIT.
Vote Date: 3/21/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/5/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
N/A
REASONS FOR BILL:
To require that certain retired public safety employees apply to an existing medical examining
board for a determination of eligibility to receive a certain municipal disability benefit.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Kevin Lembo, State Comptroller, Office of the State Comptroller: In opposition.
Testimony claimed that using current infrastructure as mentioned in the bill would not
compensate for the unknown increase in disability claims. 200-250 apply through SERS and
30-40 apply through MERS annually. It is claimed, Expanding the universe of workers
served by the system would apply additional stress and possibly lead to backlogs of reviews
for all involved. Accommodating the requirements of this bill would require additional
resources for both my office and MEB to add several positions.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
N/A
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Brian Anderson, Legislative Coordinator of AFSCME: Voiced opposition because
testimony stated that extra and unnecessary steps would be created for an officer to prove
permanent disability resulting from duty.
Reported by: Colin Savino Date: 3/22/2021
Page 2 of 2 SB-965


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 7-460d
PD Joint Favorable: 7-460d
File No. 318: 7-460d