BILL NUMBER: S5742

SPONSOR: PALUMBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act permitting the village board of the village of Southampton to
provide health insurance coverage for enrolled members of the Southamp-
ton Village Ocean Rescue

 
PURPOSE:

This legislation recognizes the work and commitment of the Southampton
Village Ocean Rescue by polluting the village of Southampton to extend
health insurance coverage to enrolled members.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Provides that once the village of Southampton adopts a resol-
ution designating the Southampton Village Ocean Rescue as an emergency
rescue and first aid squad, they may further be permitted to extend
health insurance coverage for enrolled members of the squad and their
families. The total cost of participation shall be borne by the volun-
              

teers. .

Section 2. Sets for the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Founded in April 2018, the Southampton Village Ocean Rescue (SVOR)
responds to emergencies in the ocean and bay throughout the village of
Southampton. They are dedicated to making expeditious and safe water
rescues year round at all unprotected beaches in Southampton village.

Each month SVOR trains in different locations coordinating with numerous
emergency agencies to be prepared for a multitude of aquatic emergen-
cies. They work with the town and village lifeguard agencies as well as
the police and fire departments and consistently adapt to new protocols
to ensure proper rescue techniques that best protect the victims and
rescuers. SVOR rescuers are ocean lifeguard and CPR certified. They
promote water safety and educate the public the dangers of rip currents.

In 2022, the state legislature enacted a special act for the New York
State to recognize the critical lifesaving functions and services
carried out by SVOR by the adoption of a resolution by the town board as
an emergency rescue and first aid squad, under section 209-b of the
general municipal law (chapter 419 of the laws of 2022). Now designated,
members may utilize green emergency lights when on route to rescue
calls.

To further recognize SVOR's valuable services and bolster recruitment
and retention efforts, this legislation will permit the village of
Southampton to provide SVOR members and their families with health
insurance coverage. Those volunteers choosing coverage in the village's
plan will bear the total coast of participation. Currently, subdivision7
of section 92-1 of the general municipal law extends this benefit to
SVOR's emergency responder counterparts in the volunteer fire and volun-
teer ambulance services.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

TBD.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.