SENATOR MARTINS SUPPORTS LEGISLATION TO CONTINUE HELPING GROUND ZERO WORKERS SUFFERING FROM SEPTEMBER 11th RELATED HEALTH ISSUES

Measure Would Prevent the September 11th Worker Protection Task Force Act From Expiring Next Month

     Senator Jack M. Martins (R-7th Senate District) announced that the New York State Senate passed legislation to continue the September 11th Worker Protection Task Force Act for another five years and help those who have been afflicted with a disability as a result of working at the World Trade Center and other sites. Senator Martins supported the legislation in the Senate to enable the Task Force to continue its work past the current authorization date of June 10, 2015.

     “The brave men and women who responded to the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center put themselves at great risk to help the victims and help the city, state, and country recover. Many of them need help as a result of the hazards they were exposed to at Ground Zero. The Task Force has played a critical role in helping those in need, and keeping it operating will ensure that its important work will continue,” said Senator Martins.

     Many public employees, including police, fire, correction, sanitation and civilians provided rescue, recovery and cleanup at the former World Trade Center site and other designated locations. Early statistics indicate that these workers were exposed to numerous hazards which may have, and may continue to impact their health in the years to come.

     If any public employee was exposed to these hazards and can no longer perform their jobs, even after retirement, this legislation would allow for an additional five years for the employee to apply for an accidental disability retirement. The application would be subject to the respective Retirement System review process by proving, by competent evidence, that the illness or injury was caused in connection with exposure to any elements at the World Trade Center site.

     In continuing the Task Force for another five years, this bill would also continue the Task Force’s successful work in identifying additional issues that have arisen from the rescue, recovery, and cleanup of the former World Trade Center site.

     The bill has been sent to the Assembly.