New York Assembly Bill A08324

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/13/25
• Refer: 5/13/25
• Report Pass: 6/16/25
• Refer: 6/16/25

Caption

Provides a heart disease presumption for members employed as a probation officer, supervising probation officer or probation officer trainee of a department of probation in a city with a population of one million or more.

Impact

This bill is expected to impact the retirement benefits of Tier 4 and Tier 6 members of the New York City Employees' Retirement System (NYCERS) specifically. Under the proposed law, eligible individuals would receive a performance of duty disability retirement benefit equal to 75% of their final average salary without a reduction for workers' compensation. Additionally, the bill aims to increase the ordinary death benefit from a flat sum to a lifetime benefit for beneficiaries of members who qualify under this presumption, thus enhancing financial security for families of affected officers.

Summary

Bill A08324 proposes to amend the retirement and social security law to provide a heart disease presumption for probation officers, supervising probation officers, and probation officer trainees employed in cities with populations exceeding one million. This legislation aims to establish a rebuttable statutory presumption that any heart disease-related disability incurred is considered to be in the line of duty, provided the affected person successfully passed a physical examination upon entry into service. The bill seeks to address health concerns common among those in law enforcement and probation roles, acknowledging the unique challenges they face.

Contention

During discussions surrounding A08324, concerns were raised regarding the financial implications of the bill. Critics argue that the presumption of heart disease linked to employment could lead to an increase in claims that may strain the retirement fund. Proponents, however, contend that the physical and emotional toll of probation officer duties justifies the need for these enhancements to retirement benefits, as they face considerable stress in their roles which contribute to health risks.

Fiscal_note

The bill specifies that all past service costs associated with these changes will be borne by the City of New York. It is expected that, while the financial impact on the retirement system will vary year to year depending on the number of claims, the overall fiscal note outlines a significant responsibility for the city as it adjusts to accommodate these new presumptive benefits.