A 5458 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to World Trade Center benefits

This bill amends NYC's administrative code to streamline access to World Trade Center (WTC) disability benefits for police retirees. It creates a legal presumption that police members who filed timely notices of participation in WTC rescue/recovery efforts and later develop qualifying health conditions (like respiratory illnesses linked to 9/11 exposure) automatically qualify for disability benefits, unless proven otherwise. The key mechanism shifts the burden of proof: if the notice was filed on time, the pension board must presume the condition is work-related without requiring additional medical evidence upfront. This applies specifically to members who retired or separated with vested pension rights and is limited to reclassifying existing retirements as "accidental disability" without changing their retirement options.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 14, 2025 Last action Jun 16, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

A5458 A5458A · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends New York City's administrative code to simplify World Trade Center benefits verification for police officers. It removes the requirement for police members to prove their WTC-related health conditions through a formal verification process, instead allowing them to receive benefits simply by filing a sworn notice of participation. The changes expand eligibility and reduce administrative burdens for affected officers.
Scope change
The bill applies to police pension fund members (Tier 1 and Tier 2) who retired or vested with service-connected conditions related to the 9/11 attacks. It removes the previous verification requirement that was in place for these members.
REQUIREMENT

Eliminated the requirement for police members to undergo a formal verification process to confirm their World Trade Center-related health conditions.

ELIGIBILITY

Established that filing a sworn notice of participation is now sufficient presumptive evidence for qualifying for World Trade Center benefits, unless proven otherwise.

FISCAL

Added fiscal impact analysis showing potential increases in employer contributions due to expanded benefits, with costs projected through fiscal year 2050.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata including sponsor names (added Stern and Rozic), committee status (discharged and recommitted), and page numbering.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Amendments
2
Jun 16, 2025
Committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES
lower
Jun 15, 2025
Committee
REFERENCE CHANGED TO WAYS AND MEANS
lower
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 5458A
lower
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES
lower
Feb 14, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES
lower
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors

Sponsors