BILL NUMBER: S8505

SPONSOR: KAMINSKY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act in relation to furloughs of employees by certain public retire-
ment systems; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expi-
ration thereof

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to allow furloughs for employees of certain
public retirement systems during the COVID-19 pandemic without the loss
of pension credits.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

This bill would allow any employee of a public retirement system in this
state, including, but not limited to, the New York City employees'
retirement system, the New York state teachers' retirement system, the
New York city teachers' retirement system, the New York state and local
              

police and fire retirement system, who was an employee and entitled to
benefits pursuant to their respective retirement system on March 7,
2020, shall be entitled to pension service credits in the event that
such person is subject to an employee furlough during the "COVID-19
emergency declaration" as if such employee was employed full time during
the COVID-19 emergency declaration.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Due to the financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on state and
local governments, in conjunction with Governor Cuomo's "COVID-19 Emer-
gency Declaration" for the entire state by executive order number 202,
furloughs of public employees are being considered, and may be executed
if state and local governments do not receive further federal assist-
ance. If and when furloughs do occur, many public employees' pension
credits will be impacted, and their final retirement benefit may be
reduced.

The majority of these public employees have worked a good portion of
their lives providing dedicated service to the residents of New York.
Many of them are essential workers that are presently placing their
lives and the lives of their families and friends in grave danger.
Reducing their retirement benefits due to lost pension credits, by no
fault of their own, is unfair and an injustice to our public servants.
This bill will ensure that accumulation of their pension credits will
not be disrupted if and when they become furloughed employees.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that this act
shall be subject to the expiration of the state disaster emergency
declared for the entire state by executive order number 202 and any
further amendments of modifications, and as may be further extended
pursuant to section 28 of the executive law, and shall be deemed to
expire and be repealed therewith; provided, further, that the commis-
sioner of health shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission
upon the occurrence of the expiration of the state disaster emergency
declared for the entire state by executive order number 202 and any
further amendments or modifications, and as may be further extended
pursuant to section 28 of the executive law, in order that the commis-
sion may maintain an accurate and timely effective data base of the
official text of the laws of the state of New York in furtherance of
effectuating the provisions of section 44 of the legislative law and
section 70-b of the public officers law.