Dear COBA Members;

Today, on the 18th Anniversary of the 9/11/01 Terrorist Attacks, Governor Cuomo signed legislation into law making it easier for responders to the World Trade Center site to file claims for sick leave by providing a process for municipalities outside of New York City to obtain reimbursement from the State for line of duty sick leave granted to their employees for qualifying World Trade Center conditions. This bill also provides protection to employees while on leave and establishes greater review and oversight of claims processing by state and local governments.    

What this means is that if you were sent by the Sheriffs Dept to work at any of the approved 9/11 sites and now have a qualifying certified 9/11 illness and are registered and certified with the NYS Pension System, you are eligible to utilize Sick Leave for treatment of that illness with no charge to your sick leave bank.  

COBA has worked closely with County Human Resources for some time regarding this issue that was signed into law almost a year ago but not funded. Originally the County was only going to provide this benefit to qualifying Volunteer Fireman but that did not encompass the full spirit of the law. Many dedicated County employees including our Correction Officers were sent to the WTC site at great personal peril risking their lives and health in their efforts. The County agreed but funding was the issue. Today's bill signing for the State's reimbursement now provides this very valuable benefit.  

Currently this law only pertains to members who were sent to the WTC by the Dept and have been approved by the NYS Pension System as having a qualifying condition. It does not yet provide for Volunteers who responded. That issue is currently pending additional legislation that COBA and our labor partners are vigorously pursuing.  

Please see below the County's Fact Sheet and FAQ's for this Law.  

In Unity;
Brian Sullivan, COBA President

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