“Correction officers put their lives on the line every day, ensuring the safety of inmates as well as their fellow officers,” Assemblywoman Jenne said.
“It’s an extremely difficult and dangerous job. Correction officers give so much to help keep our communities safe, and we must make sure they receive the death benefit protections they deserve and have earned for their invaluable service,” she said.
The bill would ensure that the families of correction officers can collect the full pension amount upon their passing.
Current law penalizes the families of correction officers working past their initial potential retirement date at the time of their death, according to Assemblywoman Jenne.
This measure remedies this discrepancy so that correction officers are considered retired when they pass away on the job.
Assemblywoman Jenne has been a strong advocate for the profession and has helped increase protections for North Country correction workers.
The North Country hosts state correctional facilities in Watertown, Cape Vincent, Gouverneur and two in Ogdensburg.
The bill has the support of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA), with whom she met with to discuss the measure and other issues. The measure will impact approximately 3,200 employees of the Department of Corrections and Community Services.
“Losing a loved one is already extremely difficult. This legislation was simply the right thing to do. It made absolutely no sense to penalize the families of veteran correctional officers willing to continue working past their potential retirement dates. Our prisons benefit from having that experience inside the walls," according to the assemblywoman.
“Penalizing brokenhearted families in their time of loss is unconscionable. These men and women worked hard for their benefits, and their families shouldn’t be shortchanged,” Assemblywoman Jenne stressed.
Assemblywoman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay), who worked for the Department of Corrections and Community Services before being elected to the state Assembly in November, praised Assemblywoman Jenne for leading the effort to protect veteran correction officers.
“As a former correction officer, I’ve seen firsthand just how difficult the duties of this job are. Every day, correction officers risk their lives to protect our communities. Their families deserve to be protected too if their loved one dies while still on the job. I commend Assemblywoman Jenne and our colleagues in the state Senate for their work on this legislation,” he said.
The legislation has also passed the state Senate and now heads to the governor's desk for his approval.
NYSCOPBA President Michael B. Powers said the legislation was important for the state's correction officers and sergeants.
"On behalf of the members of NYSCOPBA, I would like to thank Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblywoman Addie Jenne for recognizing the need for this critical legislation," he said.
"Working without adequate death benefit protections for their loved ones places an even greater stress upon the men and women of NYSCOPBA working in our state’s prisons. With this legislation, retirement eligible, correctional officers and sergeants are now one step closer to knowing that their hard earned and well-deserved pensions will remain with their beneficiaries in the event of an untimely death," he added.
"NYSCOPBA applauds the efforts of the Assembly, specifically Assemblywoman Jenne and her staff, and we now call upon Governor Cuomo to sign this important piece of legislation into law," Mr. Powers said.