Source: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/S1411/amendment/B
Timestamp: 2019-05-20 18:34:29
Document Index: 460377475

Matched Legal Cases: ['§205', '§612', '§  11', '§  2', '§  2', '§ 205', '§ 3', '§  4', '§ 205', '§  4']

NY State Senate Bill S1411B
senate Bill S1411B
Relates to the New York state volunteer firefighter gap coverage cancer disability benefits act
Get Status Alerts for S1411B
Oct 22, 2017 signed chap.334
Oct 11, 2017 delivered to governor
Jun 20, 2017 returned to senate
ordered to third reading rules cal.465
substituted for a711b
Jun 19, 2017 referred to ways and means
Jun 14, 2017 amended on third reading 1411b
Jun 12, 2017 amended on third reading (t) 1411a
Jun 12, 2017 vote reconsidered - restored to third reading
Jan 24, 2017 referred to local governments
Jan 17, 2017 ordered to third reading cal.40
Jan 09, 2017 referred to local government
S1411B
Jan 24, 2017 - floor Vote
Floor Vote: Jan 24, 2017
Jan 17, 2017 - Rules committee Vote
Committee Vote: Jan 17, 2017
(D, IP) 0 Senate District
S1411 (ACTIVE) - Details
Add §205-cc, Gen Muni L; amd §612, Tax L
2011-2012: A9100
2013-2014: A1552
2015-2016: S8065, A5518
S1411 (ACTIVE) - Summary
Relates to the New York state volunteer firefighter gap coverage cancer disability benefits act.
S1411 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER:  S1411
An act to amend the volunteer firefighters' benefit law, in relation
to the expansion of coverage to include cancer of the lymphatic or
hematological systems, the digestive, urinary, prostate, neurological,
breast or reproductive systems or melanoma; and providing for the
This legislation is designed to expand the existing coverage under the
VFBL to include cancer of the digestive, hematological, lymphatic,
urinary, prostate, neurological, breast and reproductive systems.
Section 1 of the bill adds new section 11-d to NYS Volunteer
Firefighters' Benefit law to provide a rebuttable presumption under
VFBL that any condition of impairment of health caused by cancer
affecting the lymphatic or hematological systems resulting in total or
partial disability or death to a volunteer firefighter who has at
least 5 years of service as an interior firefighter and successfully
passed a physical examination on entry into firefighter service, which
examination failed to reveal any evidence of such cancers was incurred
in the performance and discharge of their duty; and provide a
rebuttable presumption under VFBL that any condition of impairment of
health caused by cancer affecting the digestive, urinary, prostate,
neurological, breast or reproductive systems or melanoma resulting in
total or partial disability or death to a volunteer firefighter who
has at least 10 years of service as an interior firefighter and
successfully passed a physical examination on entry into firefighter
service, which examination failed to reveal any evidence of such
cancers was incurred in the performance and discharge of their duty.
Additionally, claims for benefits pursuant to this section must be
filed within twelve years of separation from active service as an
interior firefighter.
This bill also provides the option for any local legislative body of a
city or village, board of fire commissioners or other governing board
of the fire district, or the town board of the town in relation to the
fire companies serving territory outside villages and fire districts
or town fire department to adopt a local law or resolution to elect
not to provide this presumptive coverage to firefighters and fire
Overexposure to smoke increases the risk of contracting cancer of the
lungs. In addition, exposure to smoke and toxic fumes creates greater
risk of cancer in other parts of the body as well. For example,
exposure to smoke and fumes through volunteer firefighting may also
cause cancer in an individual's esophagus, stomach, blood, intestines,
and even the brain.
2016 - S. 8065 - Passed Senate/A. 5518a - Local Government Committee
2013-14: A1552A referred to local governments/S49368 reported to
2012: A9100 held in local governments/S4004A reported to finance
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS ON THE STATE :
This act shall take immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed June 30, 2021.
S1411 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
Introduced  by Sens. GRIFFO, BONACIC, KAMINSKY -- read twice and ordered
printed, and when printed to be committed to the  Committee  on  Local
AN  ACT to amend the volunteer firefighters' benefit law, in relation to
the expansion of coverage to include cancer of the lymphatic or  hema-
tological  systems,  the  digestive,  urinary, prostate, neurological,
breast or reproductive systems or  melanoma;  and  providing  for  the
Section 1. The volunteer  firefighters'  benefit  law  is  amended  by
adding a new section 11-d to read as follows:
§  11-D.  VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTERS;  PRESUMPTION IN CERTAIN CANCERS. 1.
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS CHAPTER TO THE  CONTRARY,  A
CONDITION  OF  IMPAIRMENT  OF HEALTH OF A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER WITH (A)
FIVE OR MORE YEARS OF FAITHFUL AND ACTUAL SERVICE IN THE  PROTECTION  OF
LIFE  AND  PROPERTY  FROM  FIRE  IN  THE INTERIOR OF BUILDINGS CAUSED BY
CANCER AFFECTING THE LYMPHATIC OR HEMATOLOGICAL SYSTEMS OR  (B)  TEN  OR
MORE  YEARS OF FAITHFUL AND ACTUAL SERVICE IN THE PROTECTION OF LIFE AND
PROPERTY FROM FIRE IN THE INTERIOR OF BUILDINGS CAUSED BY CANCER AFFECT-
ING THE DIGESTIVE, URINARY, PROSTATE, NEUROLOGICAL, BREAST OR  REPRODUC-
TIVE  SYSTEMS  OR  MELANOMA, RESULTING IN TOTAL OR PARTIAL DISABILITY OR
DEATH TO SUCH VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER, WHO SUCCESSFULLY PASSED A  PHYSICAL
EXAMINATION  ON ENTRY INTO FIREFIGHTER SERVICE, WHICH EXAMINATION FAILED
TO REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF SUCH CANCERS, SHALL  BE  PRESUMPTIVE  EVIDENCE
THAT  IT  WAS  INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE AND DISCHARGE OF DUTY, UNLESS
THE CONTRARY BE PROVEN BY  COMPETENT  EVIDENCE.    CLAIMS  FOR  BENEFITS
PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION MUST BE FILED WITHIN TWELVE YEARS OF SEPARATION
FROM  ACTIVE  SERVICE  IN  PROTECTING LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM FIRE IN THE
INTERIOR OF BUILDINGS.
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S. 1411                             2
2. THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS SERVING IN A
FIRE COMPANY OR FIRE DEPARTMENT WHERE THE LEGISLATIVE BODY OF  THE  CITY
OR THE VILLAGE, THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OR OTHER GOVERNING BOARD
OF  THE  FIRE DISTRICT, OR THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN IN RELATION TO (A)
THE  FIRE  COMPANIES  SERVING  TERRITORY  OUTSIDE  THE VILLAGES AND FIRE
DISTRICTS OR (B) A TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT, HAS  ADOPTED  A  LOCAL  LAW  OR
RESOLUTION TO ELECT NOT TO PROVIDE THIS PRESUMPTION.
§  2.  This  act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
deemed repealed June 30, 2021.
S1411A (ACTIVE) - Details
S1411A (ACTIVE) - Summary
S1411A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER:  S1411A
TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the general municipal law and the
tax law, in relation to the "New York state volunteer firefighter gap
coverage cancer disability benefits act"
To create the New York State Volunteer Firefighter Gap Coverage Cancer
Disability Benefits Act to provide volunteer firefighters who contract
certain forms of cancer with enhanced disability benefits.
Section 1. State that this act shall be knows and cited as the "New
York State Volunteer Firefighter Gap Coverage Cancer Disability
Benefits Act."
Section 2. Amends the general municipal law by adding a new section
205-CC to require that any political subdivision liable for benefits
provided under the volunteer firefighters' benefit law shall provide
and maintain an enhanced cancer disability benefit insurance program
for each eligible volunteer firefighter.
A volunteer firefighter will be eligible for enhanced cancer
disability benefits if the following criteria is met:
*The volunteer has served for at least five years as an interior
firefighter as evidenced by passage of the mask fit test which is
required of all volunteer firefighters with an interior firefighting
*Upon entrance into the volunteer service the volunteer firefighter
successfully passed a physical examination; and
*The volunteer firefighter has a disease caused by an uncontrolled
division of abnormal cells in any part of the body or a malignant
growth or tumor affecting the lymphatic or hematological systems or
digestive, urinary, prostate, neurological, breast or reproductive
systems or melanoma.
A volunteer who meets the eligibility requirements of the bill shall
be eligible for the following disability benefits:
*For medically serious forms of cancer the volunteer firefighter will
be eligible for a lump sum payment of $25,000 which may be drawn from
a pool of $50,000 which is available if there is more than one
negative diagnosis over the volunteer firefighters' lifetime;
*In the case of others medically treatable cancers, a lump sum benefit
may be drawn from a pool of $50,000 which is available if there is
more than one negative diagnosis over the volunteer firefighters'
lifetime;
*If the volunteer firefighter is totally disabled, a monthly benefit
of $1,500 per month payable up to 36 consecutive monthly payments; and
*In case of death, the volunteer firefighters' family will be eligible
for an accidental death benefit in the amount of $50,000.
Allows a legally organized fire department to use proceeds from real
property taxes for purposes of providing such disability insurance.
Requires that any fire department whose member has received a
disability payment under the provisions of this act shall report such
payments to the Office of Fire Prevention and Control. Beginning in
January 1, 2020 the Office of Fire Prevention and Control shall report
yearly to the legislature the number of firefighters who have received
benefits under this act.
Authorizes the Office of Fire Prevention and Control to adopt rules
and regulations as are reasonably necessary to implement the
Section 3. Provides that fund received by the volunteer firefighter as
insurance payments for cancer benefits shall not be subject to New
York State income taxes.
Section 4. This act shall take effective on January 1, 2019.
Presently, there are no health or disability protections afforded
volunteer firefighters outside of what is currently allowed for under
the disability provisions in the volunteer firefighters benefit law.
Under the firefighters' benefit law, a totally disabled firefighter is
limited to $600 per month in disability benefits.
A series of studies over the last several years have been published
which link an increased rate of cancer to firefighters. When a
firefighter must respond to an interior fire, there are often
carcinogens burning in that fire. These carcinogens come from the
burning of everyday products that are engulfed in a fire. Although
training of the volunteer and career service has gotten better, and
cancer awareness as well as prevention techniques have been
highlighted, there is still a higher rate of cancer amongst interior
Although volunteer firefighters save the State of New York billions of
dollars through their volunteer service, there are no adequate
provisions that compensate volunteer firefighters for a risk that
studies have shown exist solely because of their job. At the present,
if a volunteer firefighter contracts a serious form of cancer, he/she
would be eligible for total disability benefits under the volunteer
firefighters' law, which this is limited to $600 per month. These
protections are not enough to provide the peace of mind for the
volunteer firefighter as well as his family that they are protected in
case treatment is needed. In many instances, volunteer firefighters
have been forced to incur large out-of-pocket expenses when seeking
treatment for cancer. A disease which they have gotten because they
choose to volunteer and protect their community. This bill would
simply provide that peace of mind by creating a gap coverage
disability benefit to help the volunteer firefighter offset some of
these expenses due to their illness.
This act shall take effect January 1, 2019 with provision.
S1411A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
1411--A
Cal. No. 40
Introduced  by Sens. GRIFFO, ADDABBO, AKSHAR, AMEDORE, BONACIC, BRESLIN,
BROOKS, CARLUCCI, CROCI, GALLIVAN, HELMING, JACOBS, KAMINSKY, KENNEDY,
MARCHIONE, MURPHY, O'MARA, PHILLIPS, RITCHIE, ROBACH,  TEDISCO,  VALE-
SKY,  YOUNG  -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be
committed to the Committee on Local Government -- committee discharged
and said bill committed to the Committee on Rules -- reported  favora-
bly  from said committee, ordered to a third reading, passed by Senate
and delivered to the Assembly, recalled, vote  reconsidered,  restored
to  third  reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place
in the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law and the tax law,  in  relation
to the "New York state volunteer firefighter gap coverage cancer disa-
bility benefits act"
the "New York state volunteer firefighter gap coverage cancer disability
benefits act".
§  2.  The  general  municipal  law is amended by adding a new section
205-cc to read as follows:
§ 205-CC. NEW YORK STATE VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTER  GAP  COVERAGE  CANCER
DISABILITY  BENEFITS  ACT.  1.  (A)  AS  USED  IN THIS SECTION, THE TERM
"ELIGIBLE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER" SHALL BE DEFINED AS:
(I) A FIREFIGHTER HAVING FIVE OR MORE YEARS  OF  FAITHFUL  AND  ACTUAL
SERVICE IN THE PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM FIRE IN THE INTERIOR
OF  BUILDINGS  AND  HAVING SUCCESSFULLY PASSED A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION ON
ENTRY TO THE FIREFIGHTER SERVICE, WHICH EXAMINATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY
EVIDENCE OF CANCERS AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION; AND
(II) HAVING SUBMITTED PROOF OF FIVE  YEARS  OF  INTERIOR  FIREFIGHTING
SERVICE  BY  PROVIDING  VERIFICATION  THAT HE OR SHE HAS PASSED AT LEAST
FIVE YEARLY CERTIFIED MASK FITTING TESTS AS SET FORTH IN 29 CFR 1910.134
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S. 1411--A                          2
OR THE CURRENT NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION STANDARDS  FOR  MASK
FIT TESTING.
(B) AS USED IN THIS SECTION, THE TERM "CANCER" SHALL BE DEFINED AS:
(I)  A DISEASE CAUSED BY AN UNCONTROLLED DIVISION OF ABNORMAL CELLS IN
A PART OF THE BODY OR A MALIGNANT GROWTH OR  TUMOR  RESULTING  FROM  THE
DIVISION OF ABNORMAL CELLS; AND
(II)  AFFECTING  THE  LYMPHATIC OR HEMATOLOGICAL SYSTEMS OR THE DIGES-
TIVE, URINARY, PROSTATE, NEUROLOGICAL, BREAST OR REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS OR
2. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS CHAPTER TO THE  CONTRA-
RY,  ON  AND  AFTER JANUARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN, EACH POLITICAL
SUBDIVISION LIABLE FOR BENEFITS PROVIDED UNDER THE VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHT-
ERS' BENEFIT LAW SHALL PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AN ENHANCED CANCER DISABILI-
TY  BENEFIT  INSURANCE  PROGRAM FOR EACH ELIGIBLE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER.
SUCH ELIGIBLE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS SHALL RECEIVE PAYMENTS OF  ENHANCED
CANCER BENEFITS AS FOLLOWS:
(A)  A  LUMP  SUM  BENEFIT  OF TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS SUBJECT TO
LIMITATIONS SPECIFIED IN THE INSURANCE  CONTRACT  AND  PAYABLE  TO  SUCH
ELIGIBLE  VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTER UPON ACCEPTABLE PROOF OF DIAGNOSIS BY A
PHYSICIAN BOARD CERTIFIED IN THE MEDICAL SPECIALTY APPROPRIATE  FOR  THE
TYPE  OF  CANCER  INVOLVED  THAT  THERE ARE ONE OR MORE MALIGNANT TUMORS
CHARACTERIZED BY THE UNCONTROLLABLE AND ABNORMAL GROWTH  AND  SPREAD  OF
MALIGNANT CELLS WITH INVASION OF NORMAL TISSUE AND THAT:
(I)  SURGERY,  RADIOTHERAPY,  CHEMOTHERAPY OR RADIATION TREATMENTS ARE
MEDICALLY NECESSARY;
(II) THERE IS A TUMOR OF THE PROSTATE, PROVIDED  THAT  IT  IS  TREATED
WITH RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY OR EXTERNAL BEAM THERAPY; AND
(III) THERE IS METASTASIS; OR
(IV)  THE  ELIGIBLE  VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER HAS TERMINAL CANCER, HIS OR
HER LIFE EXPECTANCY IS TWENTY-FOUR MONTHS OR LESS FROM THE DATE OF DIAG-
NOSIS, AND WILL NOT BENEFIT FROM, OR HAS EXHAUSTED, CURATIVE THERAPY.
(B) A LUMP SUM BENEFIT OF  SIX  THOUSAND  TWO  HUNDRED  FIFTY  DOLLARS
SUBJECT  TO  LIMITATIONS  SPECIFIED IN THE INSURANCE CONTRACT PAYABLE TO
SUCH VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER UPON ACCEPTABLE PROOF OF  A  DIAGNOSIS  BY  A
PHYSICIAN  BOARD  CERTIFIED IN THE MEDICAL SPECIALTY APPROPRIATE FOR THE
TYPE OF CANCER INVOLVED THAT:
(I) THERE IS CARCINOMA IN SITU SUCH  THAT  SURGERY,  RADIOTHERAPY,  OR
CHEMOTHERAPY HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE MEDICALLY NECESSARY;
(II) THERE ARE MALIGNANT TUMORS WHICH ARE TREATED BY ENDOSCOPIC PROCE-
DURES ALONE; OR
(III) THERE ARE MALIGNANT MELANOMAS.
(C) (I) A MONTHLY BENEFIT OF ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS PAYABLE
SIX  MONTHS AFTER TOTAL DISABILITY AND SUBMISSION OF ACCEPTABLE PROOF OF
SAID DISABILITY TO THE INSURANCE CARRIER OR OTHER PAYOR CAUSED BY CANCER
AS DEFINED IN THE INSURANCE CONTRACT AS PRECLUDING SERVICE  AS  A  FIRE-
FIGHTER   AND  CONTINUING  FOR  UP  TO  THIRTY-SIX  CONSECUTIVE  MONTHLY
(II) THE BENEFIT UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH  SHALL  BE  SUBORDINATE  TO  ANY
OTHER  BENEFIT ACTUALLY PAID TO THE FIREFIGHTER FOR SUCH DISABILITY FROM
ANY OTHER SOURCE, NOT INCLUDING PRIVATE INSURANCE  PURCHASED  SOLELY  BY
THE  FIREFIGHTER,  AND  SHALL  BE  LIMITED TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE
AMOUNT OF SUCH OTHER PAID BENEFIT AND THE AMOUNT  SPECIFIED  UNDER  THIS
(III) ANY ELIGIBLE FIREFIGHTER RECEIVING BENEFITS UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH
MAY  BE  REQUIRED TO HAVE HIS OR HER CONDITION REEVALUATED. IN THE EVENT
ANY SUCH REEVALUATION REVEALS SUCH PERSON HAS REGAINED  THE  ABILITY  TO
S. 1411--A                          3
PERFORM  DUTIES  AS  A  FIREFIGHTER, THEN HIS OR HER BENEFITS UNDER THIS
PARAGRAPH SHALL CEASE THE LAST DAY OF THE MONTH OF DETERMINATION.
(D)  AN  ELIGIBLE  VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTER  SHALL  ALSO BE ELIGIBLE FOR
PAYMENT OF ENHANCED CANCER DEATH BENEFITS IN THE AMOUNT OF  FIFTY  THOU-
SAND  DOLLARS  WHICH IS PAYABLE TO HIM OR HER UPON ACCEPTABLE PROOF BY A
PHYSICIAN BOARD CERTIFIED THAT HIS OR HER DEATH  RESULTED  FROM  COMPLI-
CATIONS  ASSOCIATED WITH CANCER AFFECTING THE LYMPHATIC OR HEMATOLOGICAL
SYSTEMS OR THE DIGESTIVE, URINARY,  PROSTATE,  NEUROLOGICAL,  BREAST  OR
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS OR MELANOMA.
3.  THE  COMBINED TOTAL OF ALL BENEFITS RECEIVED BY AN ELIGIBLE VOLUN-
TEER FIREFIGHTER UNDER PARAGRAPHS (A) AND (B) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS
SECTION DURING HIS OR HER  LIFETIME  SHALL  NOT  EXCEED  FIFTY  THOUSAND
DOLLARS.  BENEFITS  PROVIDED  TO AN ELIGIBLE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER UNDER
PARAGRAPHS (A), (B) AND (D) OF SUBDIVISION TWO  OF  THIS  SECTION  SHALL
CONTINUE  FOR  SIXTY MONTHS FOLLOWING THE FORMAL CESSATION OF THE VOLUN-
TEER FIREFIGHTER'S STATUS AS AN ACTIVE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER. THE LEGAL-
LY ORGANIZED FIRE DEPARTMENT  WHICH  THE  VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTER  SERVED
SHALL  BE  RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF ALL PREMIUMS ASSOCIATED WITH BENE-
FITS PROVIDED UNDER PARAGRAPHS (A), (B) AND (D) OF  SUBDIVISION  TWO  OF
THIS SECTION THROUGHOUT THE SIXTY MONTH TERM OF COVERAGE CONTINUATION.
4. ANY DEPARTMENT WHOSE MEMBER HAS RECEIVED A DISABILITY PAYMENT UNDER
THE  PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL REPORT SUCH PAYMENTS TO THE OFFICE
OF FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL. ON JANUARY FIRST, TWO  THOUSAND  TWENTY,
AND ON THE SAME DATE EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, THE OFFICE OF FIRE PREVENTION
AND  CONTROL  SHALL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE THE NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS
WHO HAVE RECEIVED BENEFITS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
5. A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION LIABLE FOR PROVIDING INSURANCE PURSUANT  TO
THIS  SECTION  MAY  USE  PROCEEDS  FROM  REAL  PROPERTY  TAXES  FOR SUCH
§ 3. Subsection (c) of section 612 of the tax law is amended by adding
a new paragraph 44 to read as follows:
(44) INSURANCE PAYMENTS RECEIVED BY AN ELIGIBLE VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTER
FOR  THE  ENHANCED CANCER BENEFITS IN SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIVE-CC OF THE
GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW TO THE  EXTENT  INCLUDABLE  IN  GROSS  INCOME  FOR
§  4.  This  act shall take effect January 1, 2019, provided, however,
that the state fire administrator shall promulgate any rules  and  regu-
lations  necessary  for the implementation of this act on or before such
View More (105 Lines)
S1411B (ACTIVE) - Details
S1411B (ACTIVE) - Summary
S1411B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER:  S1411B
S1411B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
1411--B
in the order of third reading -- again amended and ordered  reprinted,
AN  ACT  to amend the general municipal law and the tax law, in relation
the "New York State Volunteer  Firefighter  Enhanced  Cancer  Disability
§ 205-CC. VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER ENHANCED CANCER  DISABILITY  BENEFITS.
A  LEGALLY  ORGANIZED FIRE DISTRICT, DEPARTMENT OR COMPANY SHALL PROVIDE
AND MAINTAIN FOR EACH ELIGIBLE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER, AN ENHANCED CANCER
DISABILITY BENEFIT INSURANCE PROGRAM.
1. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS SECTION:
A. "ELIGIBLE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER" MEANS:
(I) A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER HAVING FIVE OR MORE YEARS OF FAITHFUL  AND
ACTUAL  SERVICE  IN THE PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM FIRE IN THE
INTERIOR OF BUILDINGS AND HAVING SUCCESSFULLY PASSED A PHYSICAL EXAMINA-
TION ON ENTRY TO THE FIREFIGHTER SERVICE, WHICH  EXAMINATION  FAILED  TO
LBD03660-07-7
S. 1411--B                          2
REVEAL  ANY EVIDENCE OF CANCERS AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH B OF THIS SUBDI-
VISION; AND
(II)  HAVING  SUBMITTED  PROOF  OF FIVE YEARS OF INTERIOR FIREFIGHTING
SERVICE BY PROVIDING VERIFICATION THAT HE OR SHE  HAS  PASSED  AT  LEAST
OR  THE  CURRENT NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION STANDARDS FOR MASK
B. "CANCER" MEANS:
(I) A DISEASE CAUSED BY AN UNCONTROLLED DIVISION OF ABNORMAL CELLS  IN
A  PART  OF  THE  BODY OR A MALIGNANT GROWTH OR TUMOR RESULTING FROM THE
(II) AFFECTING THE PROSTATE OR BREAST, LYMPHATIC, HEMATOLOGICAL DIGES-
TIVE, URINARY, NEUROLOGICAL, OR REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS, OR MELANOMA.
2. AN ELIGIBLE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO  PAYMENT  OF
ENHANCED CANCER BENEFITS AS FOLLOWS:
A. A LUMP SUM BENEFIT OF TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR EACH DIAGNO-
SIS  PAYABLE  TO SUCH FIREFIGHTER UPON ACCEPTABLE PROOF TO THE INSURANCE
CARRIER OR OTHER PAYOR OF A DIAGNOSIS BY A BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIAN  IN
THE  MEDICAL SPECIALTY APPROPRIATE FOR THE TYPE OF CANCER DIAGNOSED THAT
THERE ARE ONE OR MORE MALIGNANT TUMORS CHARACTERIZED BY THE UNCONTROLLA-
BLE AND ABNORMAL GROWTH AND SPREAD OF MALIGNANT CELLS WITH  INVASION  OF
NORMAL TISSUE AND THAT EITHER:
(I) THERE IS METASTASIS; AND
(1) SURGERY, RADIOTHERAPY, OR CHEMOTHERAPY IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY; OR
(2) THERE IS A TUMOR OF THE PROSTATE, PROVIDED THAT IT IS TREATED WITH
RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY OR EXTERNAL BEAM THERAPY; OR
(II)  THE  FIREFIGHTER HAS TERMINAL CANCER, HIS OR HER LIFE EXPECTANCY
IS TWENTY-FOUR MONTHS OR LESS FROM THE DATE OF DIAGNOSIS, AND  WILL  NOT
BENEFIT FROM, OR HAS EXHAUSTED, CURATIVE THERAPY.
B.  A  LUMP  SUM BENEFIT OF SIX THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS FOR
EACH DIAGNOSIS PAYABLE TO SUCH FIREFIGHTER UPON ACCEPTABLE PROOF TO  THE
INSURANCE  CARRIER  OR  OTHER  PAYOR OF A DIAGNOSIS BY A BOARD CERTIFIED
PHYSICIAN IN THE MEDICAL SPECIALTY APPROPRIATE FOR THE  TYPE  OF  CANCER
INVOLVED THAT EITHER:
(I)  THERE  IS  CARCINOMA  IN SITU SUCH THAT SURGERY, RADIOTHERAPY, OR
C. A MONTHLY BENEFIT OF ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED  DOLLARS,  OF  WHICH
THE  FIRST  PAYMENT  SHALL BE MADE SIX MONTHS AFTER TOTAL DISABILITY AND
SUBMISSION OF ACCEPTABLE PROOF  OF  SAID  DISABILITY  TO  THE  INSURANCE
CARRIER OR OTHER PAYOR THAT SUCH DISABILITY IS CAUSED BY CANCER AND THAT
SUCH  CANCER  PRECLUDES  THE  FIREFIGHTER FROM SERVING AS A FIREFIGHTER.
SUCH BENEFIT SHALL CONTINUE FOR UP  TO  THIRTY-SIX  CONSECUTIVE  MONTHLY
(I)  SUCH  MONTHLY  BENEFIT  SHALL BE SUBORDINATE TO ANY OTHER BENEFIT
ACTUALLY PAID TO THE FIREFIGHTER SOLELY FOR  SUCH  DISABILITY  FROM  ANY
OTHER  SOURCE,  NOT  INCLUDING PRIVATE INSURANCE PURCHASED SOLELY BY THE
FIREFIGHTER, AND SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN  THE  AMOUNT
OF SUCH OTHER PAID BENEFIT AND THE AMOUNT SPECIFIED HEREIN; AND
(II)  ANY  FIREFIGHTER RECEIVING SUCH MONTHLY BENEFITS MAY BE REQUIRED
TO HAVE HIS OR HER CONDITION REEVALUATED. IN THE EVENT ANY SUCH REEVALU-
ATION REVEALS THAT SUCH PERSON  HAS  REGAINED  THE  ABILITY  TO  PERFORM
DUTIES  AS  A  FIREFIGHTER, THEN HIS OR HER MONTHLY BENEFITS SHALL CEASE
THE LAST DAY OF THE MONTH OF REEVALUATION.
S. 1411--B                          3
(III) IN THE EVENT THAT THERE IS A SUBSEQUENT REOCCURRENCE OF A  DISA-
BILITY  CAUSED BY CANCER WHICH PRECLUDES THE FIREFIGHTER FROM SERVING AS
A FIREFIGHTER, HE OR SHE SHALL BE  ENTITLED  TO  RECEIVE  ANY  REMAINING
D.  AN  ELIGIBLE  VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTER  SHALL ALSO BE ENTITLED TO AN
ADDITIONAL PAYMENT OF ENHANCED CANCER DEATH BENEFITS IN  THE  AMOUNT  OF
FIFTY  THOUSAND DOLLARS WHICH IS PAYABLE TO SUCH VOLUNTEER OR HIS OR HER
BENEFICIARY UPON ACCEPTABLE PROOF BY A BOARD  CERTIFIED  PHYSICIAN  THAT
SUCH  FIREFIGHTER'S  DEATH  RESULTED  FROM COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH
E. PROVIDED HOWEVER, AN ELIGIBLE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER SHALL BE INELI-
GIBLE FOR THESE BENEFITS IF THEY ARE ALREADY PROVIDED  PAID  FIREFIGHTER
BENEFITS UNDER THIS ARTICLE.
3.  THE COMBINED TOTAL OF ALL BENEFITS RECEIVED BY ANY ELIGIBLE VOLUN-
TEER FIREFIGHTER PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPHS A AND B OF  SUBDIVISION  TWO  OF
THIS  SECTION DURING HIS OR HER LIFETIME SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTY THOUSAND
4. AN ELIGIBLE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER SHALL REMAIN ELIGIBLE  FOR  BENE-
FITS  PURSUANT  TO  PARAGRAPHS  A,  B  AND  D OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS
SECTION FOR SIXTY MONTHS AFTER THE FORMAL  CESSATION  OF  THE  VOLUNTEER
FIREFIGHTER'S  STATUS  AS  AN  ACTIVE  VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTER.  THE FIRE
DISTRICT, DEPARTMENT OR COMPANY IN WHICH SUCH FIREFIGHTER  SERVED  SHALL
BE  RESPONSIBLE  FOR  PAYMENT  OF ALL PREMIUMS OR OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED
WITH BENEFITS PROVIDED UNDER PARAGRAPHS A, B AND D OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF
THIS SECTION THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF  THE  ELIGIBLE  VOLUNTEER  FIRE-
FIGHTER'S COVERAGE.
5. A FIRE DISTRICT, DEPARTMENT OR COMPANY SHALL, NO LATER THAN JANUARY
FIRST,  TWO  THOUSAND  NINETEEN,  SHOW  PROOF OF INSURANCE COVERAGE THAT
MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION OR SHALL SHOW SATISFACTORY  PROOF
OF  THE ABILITY TO PAY SUCH COMPENSATION TO ENSURE ADEQUATE COVERAGE FOR
ALL ELIGIBLE VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTERS.  SUCH  COVERAGE  SHALL  REMAIN  IN
EFFECT UNTIL SIXTY MONTHS AFTER THE FIRE DISTRICT, DEPARTMENT OR COMPANY
NO  LONGER  HAS  ANY  VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTERS WHO COULD QUALIFY FOR THIS
6. ANY FIRE DISTRICT, DEPARTMENT OR COMPANY THAT HAS HAD  A  VOLUNTEER
FIREFIGHTER  FILE  A  CLAIM FOR OR RECEIVE AN ENHANCED CANCER DISABILITY
BENEFIT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL  REPORT  SUCH  CLAIMS
FILED,  CLAIMS PAID AND TYPES OF CLAIMS TO THE OFFICE OF FIRE PREVENTION
AND CONTROL. BEGINNING ON JANUARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY, THE OFFICE
OF FIRE AND PREVENTION CONTROL SHALL REPORT ANNUALLY  TO  THE  GOVERNOR,
THE  TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE
CHAIR OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE CHAIR OF THE ASSEMBLY WAYS
AND MEANS COMMITTEE THE NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS  WHO  HAVE  FILED  CLAIMS
PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SECTION  AND  THE  NUMBER  OF  FIREFIGHTERS WHO HAVE
RECEIVED BENEFITS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
7. THE OFFICE OF FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND THE  WORKERS'  COMPENSATION  BOARD,
SHALL  ADOPT  SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS AS ARE REASONABLE AND NECESSARY
TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.    SUCH  REGULATIONS  SHALL
INCLUDE  THE  PROCESS  BY  WHICH  A  FIREFIGHTER  FILES  A CLAIM FOR THE
ENHANCED CANCER DISABILITY BENEFIT, HOW THE BENEFICIARY OF SUCH ELIGIBLE
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER FILES A CLAIM FOR THE ENHANCED CANCER DEATH  BENE-
FIT,  THE PROCESS BY WHICH CLAIMANTS CAN APPEAL A DENIAL OF BENEFITS AND
WHAT PROOF IS DEEMED ACCEPTABLE TO QUALIFY FOR SUCH BENEFITS.
a new paragraph 42 to read as follows:
S. 1411--B                          4
(42) INSURANCE PAYMENTS RECEIVED BY AN ELIGIBLE VOLUNTEER  FIREFIGHTER
FOR THE CANCER DISABILITY BENEFITS IN SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIVE-CC OF THE
GENERAL  MUNICIPAL  LAW  TO  THE  EXTENT  INCLUDABLE IN GROSS INCOME FOR
§  4.  This  act shall take effect January 1, 2019; provided, however,
that effective immediately, the addition and/or repeal of  any  rule  or
date  are  authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before
such effective date; and provided further, however, that the regulations
required pursuant to subdivision 7 of  section  205-cc  of  the  general
municipal  law as added by section two of this act shall be finalized no
later than June 1, 2018.