Requires the forfeiture of benefits to be paid pursuant to a service awards program to volunteer firefighters who have been convicted of felonies committed against a volunteer fire department, volunteer fire company, fire district, or fire protection district.
Impact
If enacted, A08008 will significantly alter the landscape of benefits associated with volunteer firefighting service awards, adding a layer of accountability for those who are found guilty of serious crimes. It is designed to deter individuals from engaging in criminal activities that could undermine the trust and safety associated with volunteer firefighting efforts. By enforcing the forfeiture of benefits for offenders, the bill seeks to promote a healthy, law-abiding culture within these vital community services, thereby enhancing public safety.
Summary
Bill A08008, introduced in the New York Assembly, seeks to amend the general municipal law regarding volunteer firefighters' eligibility for benefits from service awards programs. Specifically, the bill stipulates that any participant who is convicted of arson, or any other felony defined under penal law that is committed against a volunteer fire department or related entities, will be required to forfeit all rights to past and future benefits under such programs. This legislation aims to uphold the integrity and safety of volunteer firefighting services within the state.
Contention
While the bill broadly aims to maintain the high standards of volunteer firefighting, there are points of contention regarding its implications for fairness and due process. Critics may argue that the automatic forfeiture of benefits could disproportionately affect individuals or families, particularly in cases where the context of the crime is complex. Additionally, there could be concerns about how effectively the bill differentiates between minor infractions and serious offenses, potentially leading to unjust penalties for minor violations. This discussion underscores a balance between public safety and individual rights that will be essential as the bill progresses through legislative scrutiny.
Same As
Requires the forfeiture of benefits to be paid pursuant to a service awards program to volunteer firefighters who have been convicted of felonies committed against a volunteer fire department, volunteer fire company, fire district, or fire protection district.
Requires the forfeiture of benefits to be paid pursuant to a service awards program to volunteer firefighters who have been convicted of felonies committed against a volunteer fire department, volunteer fire company, fire district, or fire protection district.
Expands volunteerism by making use of the databases of statewide aging organizations; institutes volunteer certificate programs which train volunteers and individuals in programs to use the volunteers.
Creates a volunteer firefighter scholarship program and a volunteer firefighter scholarship fund; rewards volunteer firefighters who respond to twenty-five percent of emergency calls for eight years with a student loan award equal to four times the SUNY tuition rate; makes an appropriation therefor.
Creates a volunteer firefighter scholarship program and a volunteer firefighter scholarship fund; rewards volunteer firefighters who respond to twenty-five percent of emergency calls for eight years with a student loan award equal to four times the SUNY tuition rate; makes an appropriation therefor.
Allows volunteer firefighters to attend training required under 19 NYCRR 426 without being penalized by their employer; creates tax incentives for employing volunteer firefighters.