NY State Senate Bill 2025-S8024A

Senate Bill S8024A

2025-2026 Legislative Session

Relates to disability retirement benefits to Stacie Stueber on behalf of her deceased husband, deputy sheriff Richard Stueber, a participant in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations

download bill text pdf

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Civil Service And Pensions Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jun 08, 2025	print number 8024b
Jun 08, 2025	amend and recommit to civil service and pensions
May 28, 2025	print number 8024a
May 28, 2025	amend and recommit to civil service and pensions
May 15, 2025	referred to civil service and pensions

Bill Amendments

Original

B (Active)

2025-S8024 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8645
Current Committee:: Senate Civil Service And Pensions
Law Section:: Retirement
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2021-2022: S6539, A7626
2023-2024: S5208, S9451, A5067

2025-S8024 - Summary

Provides accidental disability retirement benefits for deputy sheriff Richard Stueber, a participant in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, and cleanup operations.

2025-S8024 - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8024

SPONSOR: MARTINEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act relating to disability retirement benefits for deputy sheriff
Richard Stueber, a participant in World Trade Center rescue, recovery,
and cleanup operations

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this legislation is to allow Deputy Sheriff Richard
Stueber's surviving spouse to receive 75% accidental disability retire-
ment.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Provides Stacie Stueber shall be entitled to a 75% accidental
disability retirement on behalf of her husband, who is deceased as
result of mental illness associated with his participation in the World
Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup, pursuant to paragraph 4 of
subdivision d of section 605 of the retirement and social security law.

Section 2: Provides all costs associated with implementing this act
shall be borne by the county of Suffolk.

Section 3: Is the effective clause.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Suffolk County Sheriff's Officer Richard Stueber answered the call to
serve his state and nation as part of the World Trade Center rescue,
recovery and cleanup efforts in the weeks and months following the 9/11
attacks. Officer Stueber was accepted into the Zadroga World Trade
Center Program and became incapacitated from performing all the duties
of a police officer as a result of his participation. He applied for his
WTC Accidental Disability retirement with the New York State and Local
Retirement System in February 2019 which was processed by that System
and granted March 12, 2020. He was awarded a 75% 911 accidental disabil-
ity retirement by the System on March 12, 2020 by a favorable determi-
nation made by the System. However, while this process was pending,
Officer Stueber was forced to take his New York State Service pension in
March 2019, one month after he filed for his Disability Retirement
Application as the ability to stay on the Suffolk County Sheriffs
payroll during the time it took to prosecute his 9/11 World Trade Center
Accidental Retirement Application was not possible.

On December 14, 2020, the New York State Retirement System sent a letter
notifying Mr. Stueber that he was ineligible for the 75% portion of WTC
Accidental Disability retirement benefit due to changes in the Law under
the provisions of Section 605(d) (4) of the Retirement and Social Secu-
rity Law, which took effect September 11, 2019. It was not the legisla-
tive intent to reduce the class of eligible participants which is why
this legislation is necessary.

Officer Stueber suffered from mental illness as a result of his partic-
ipation in theòoperations and since the introduction of this bill in
2021, he has taken his own life. Officer Stueber is survived by his

wife, Stacie Stueber. This bill seeks to provide Stacie with the acci-
dental disability retirement Richard died waiting for.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

See fiscal note.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2025-S8024 - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8024
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               May 15, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sen. MARTINEZ -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions
 
 AN ACT relating to disability retirement  benefits  for  deputy  sheriff
   Richard Stueber, a participant in World Trade Center rescue, recovery,
   and cleanup operations

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Notwithstanding the provision of  any  general  or  special
 law, rule or regulation to the contrary, Richard Stueber, a deputy sher-
 iff employed by Suffolk County who retired from such service on March 1,
 2019,  and  who  participated in the World Trade Center rescue, recovery
 and cleanup operations as a member of the New York City  police  depart-
 ment,  and  is now deceased succumbing to mental illness associated with
 his participation in the World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup
 operations, and Stacie Stueber on behalf of her deceased  husband  shall
 be  entitled to a 75% accidental disability retirement  benefit pursuant
 to paragraph 4 of subdivision d of section 605  of  the  retirement  and
 social  security  law based upon the determination by the New York state
 and local employees' retirement system on March 12,  2020  that  Richard
 Stueber was permanently incapacitated  for the performance of his duties
 as  a  result  of  his  participation  in the World Trade Center rescue,
 recovery, or cleanup operations. Such benefit shall be payable from  the
 date of his retirement.
   § 2. All costs associated with implementing this act shall be borne by
 the county of Suffolk.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
 
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD02755-02-5

2025-S8024A - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8645
Current Committee:: Senate Civil Service And Pensions
Law Section:: Retirement
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2021-2022: S6539, A7626
2023-2024: S5208, S9451, A5067

2025-S8024A - Summary

Provides accidental disability retirement benefits for deputy sheriff Richard Stueber, a participant in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, and cleanup operations.

2025-S8024A - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8024A

SPONSOR: MARTINEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act relating to disability retirement benefits for deputy sheriff
Richard Stueber, a participant in World Trade Center rescue, recovery,
and cleanup operations

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this legislation is to allow Deputy Sheriff Richard
Stueber's surviving spouse to receive 75% accidental disability retire-
ment.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Provides Stacie Stueber shall be entitled to a75% accidental
disability retirement on behalf of her husband, who is deceased as
result of mental illness associated with his participation in the World
Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup, pursuant to paragraph 4 of
subdivision d of section 605 of the retirement and social security law.

Section 2: Provides all costs associated with implementing this act
shall be borne by the county of Suffolk.

Section 3: Is the effective clause.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Suffolk County Sheriff's Officer Richard Stueber answered the call to
serve his state and nation as part of the World Trade Center rescue,
recovery and cleanup efforts in the weeks and months following the 9/11
attacks. Officer Stueber was accepted into the Zadroga World Trade
Center Program and became incapacitated from performing all the duties
of a police officer as a result of his participation. He applied for his
WTC Accidental Disability retirement with the New York State and Local
Retirement System in February 2019 which was processed by that System
and granted March 12, 2020. He was awarded a 75% 911 accidental disabil-
ity retirement by the System on March 12, 2020 by a favorable determi-
nation made by the System. However, while this process was pending,
OfficerStueber was forced to take his New York State Service pension in
March 2019, one month after he filed for his Disability Retirement
Application as the ability to stay on the Suffolk County Sheriff's
payroll during the time it took to prosecute his 9/11 World Trade Center
Accidental Retirement Application was not possible.

On December 14, 2020, the New York State Retirement System sent a letter
notifying Mr. Stueber that he was ineligible for the 75% portion of WTC
Accidental Disability retirement benefit due to changes in the Law under
the provisions of Section 605(d) (4) of the Retirement and Social Secu-
rity Law, which took effect September 11, 2019. It was not the legisla-
tive intent to reduce the class of eligible participants which is why
this legislation is necessary.

Officer Stueber suffered from mental illness as a result of his partic-
ipation in the operations and since the introduction of this bill in
2021, he has taken his own life. Officer Stueber is survived by his

wife, Stacie Stueber. This bill seeks to provide Stacie with the acci-
dental disability retirement Richard died waiting for.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

See fiscal note.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2025-S8024A - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  8024--A
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               May 15, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sen. MARTINEZ -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions
   -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered  reprinted  as  amended
   and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN  ACT  relating  to  disability retirement benefits for deputy sheriff
   Richard Stueber, a participant in World Trade Center rescue, recovery,
   and cleanup operations
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Notwithstanding  the  provision of any general or special
 law, rule or regulation to the contrary, Richard Stueber, a deputy sher-
 iff employed by Suffolk County who retired from such service on March 1,
 2019, and who participated in the World Trade  Center  rescue,  recovery
 and  cleanup  operations as a member of the New York City police depart-
 ment, and is now deceased succumbing to mental illness  associated  with
 his participation in the World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup
 operations,  and  Stacie Stueber on behalf of her deceased husband shall
 be entitled to a 75% accidental disability retirement  benefit  pursuant
 to  paragraph  4  of  subdivision d of section 605 of the retirement and
 social security law based upon the determination by the New  York  state
 and  local  employees'  retirement system on March 12, 2020 that Richard
 Stueber was permanently incapacitated  for the performance of his duties
 as a result of his participation  in  the  World  Trade  Center  rescue,
 recovery,  or cleanup operations. Such benefit shall be payable from the
 date of his retirement.
   § 2. All costs associated with implementing this act shall be borne by
 the county of Suffolk.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
   FISCAL NOTE.--Pursuant to Legislative Law, Section 50:
   This bill would provide Stacie Stueber, the surviving spouse of  Rich-
 ard  Stueber, formerly a deputy sheriff employed by Suffolk County, with

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD02755-04-5

 S. 8024--A                          2
 
 an  accidental  disability  retirement  benefit  equal  to  75%  of  the
 decedent's  final average salary, retroactive to the date of retirement.
 Currently, Stacie Stueber is eligible to receive the  continuance  of  a
 Pop-Up  Joint  Allowance  75%,  resulting  from  the  decedent's service
 retirement.
   If this bill is enacted during the  2025  Legislative  Session,  there
 will  be  an  immediate past service cost of approximately $1.04 million
 which will be borne by the State of New York as a one-time payment. This
 estimate assumes that payment will be made on March 1, 2026.
   Summary of relevant resources:
   Membership data as of March 31, 2024 was used in measuring the  impact
 of the proposed change, the same data used in the April 1, 2024 actuari-
 al  valuation.  Distributions  and  other statistics can be found in the
 2024 Report of the Actuary and the 2024 Annual  Comprehensive  Financial
 Report.  The actuarial assumptions and methods used are described in the
 2024  Annual Report to the Comptroller on Actuarial Assumptions, and the
 Codes, Rules and Regulations  of  the  State  of  New  York:  Audit  and
 Control.  The  Market Assets and GASB Disclosures are found in the March
 31, 2024 New York State and Local Retirement System Financial Statements
 and Supplementary Information.
   This fiscal note does not constitute a legal opinion on the  viability
 of  the  proposed change nor is it intended to serve as a substitute for
 the professional judgment of an attorney.
   This estimate, dated May 12, 2025, and intended for  use  only  during
 the  2025  Legislative  Session,  is  Fiscal Note No. 2025-126. As Chief
 Actuary of the New York State and  Local  Retirement  System,  I,  Aaron
 Schottin Young, hereby certify that this analysis complies with applica-
 ble  Actuarial Standards of Practice as well as the Code of Professional
 Conduct and Qualification Standards for Actuaries Issuing Statements  of
 Actuarial  Opinion of the American Academy of Actuaries, of which I am a
 member.

2025-S8024B (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8645
Current Committee:: Senate Civil Service And Pensions
Law Section:: Retirement
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2021-2022: S6539, A7626
2023-2024: S5208, S9451, A5067

2025-S8024B (ACTIVE) - Summary

Provides accidental disability retirement benefits for deputy sheriff Richard Stueber, a participant in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, and cleanup operations.

2025-S8024B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  8024--B
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               May 15, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sen. MARTINEZ -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions
   -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered  reprinted  as  amended
   and  recommitted  to  said  committee  --  committee  discharged, bill
   amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said  commit-
   tee
 
 AN  ACT  relating  to  disability retirement benefits for deputy sheriff
   Richard Stueber, a participant in World Trade Center rescue, recovery,
   and cleanup operations
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Notwithstanding  the  provision of any general or special
 law, rule or regulation to the contrary, Richard Stueber, a deputy sher-
 iff employed by Suffolk County who retired from such service on March 1,
 2019, and who participated in the World Trade  Center  rescue,  recovery
 and  cleanup  operations as a member of the New York City police depart-
 ment, and is now deceased succumbing to mental illness  associated  with
 his participation in the World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup
 operations,  and  Stacie Stueber on behalf of her deceased husband shall
 be entitled to a 75% accidental disability retirement  benefit  pursuant
 to  paragraph  4  of  subdivision d of section 605 of the retirement and
 social security law based upon the determination by the New  York  state
 and  local  employees'  retirement system on March 12, 2020 that Richard
 Stueber was permanently incapacitated  for the performance of his duties
 as a result of his participation  in  the  World  Trade  Center  rescue,
 recovery,  or cleanup operations. Such benefit shall be payable from the
 date of his retirement.
   § 2. All costs associated with implementing this act shall be borne by
 the county of Suffolk.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
   FISCAL NOTE.--Pursuant to Legislative Law, Section 50:

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD02755-05-5

 S. 8024--B                          2
 
   This bill would provide Stacie Stueber, the surviving spouse of  Rich-
 ard  Stueber, formerly a deputy sheriff employed by Suffolk County, with
 an  accidental  disability  retirement  benefit  equal  to  75%  of  the
 decedent's  final average salary, retroactive to the date of retirement.
 Currently,  Stacie  Stueber  is eligible to receive the continuance of a
 Pop-Up Joint  Allowance  75%,  resulting  from  the  decedent's  service
 retirement.
   If  this  bill  is  enacted during the 2025 Legislative Session, there
 will be an immediate past service cost of  approximately  $1.04  million
 which  will be borne by Suffolk County as a one-time payment. This esti-
 mate assumes that payment will be made on March 1, 2026.
   Summary of relevant resources:
   Membership data as of March 31, 2024 was used in measuring the  impact
 of the proposed change, the same data used in the April 1, 2024 actuari-
 al  valuation.  Distributions  and  other statistics can be found in the
 2024 Report of the Actuary and the 2024 Annual  Comprehensive  Financial
 Report.  The actuarial assumptions and methods used are described in the
 2024  Annual Report to the Comptroller on Actuarial Assumptions, and the
 Codes, Rules and Regulations  of  the  State  of  New  York:  Audit  and
 Control.  The  Market Assets and GASB Disclosures are found in the March
 31, 2024 New York State and Local Retirement System Financial Statements
 and Supplementary Information.
   This fiscal note does not constitute a legal opinion on the  viability
 of  the  proposed change nor is it intended to serve as a substitute for
 the professional judgment of an attorney.
   This estimate, dated June 8, 2025, and intended for  use  only  during
 the  2025  Legislative  Session, is Fiscal Note No. 2025-126 Revised. As
 Chief Actuary of the New York State  and  Local  Retirement  System,  I,
 Aaron  Schottin  Young,  hereby certify that this analysis complies with
 applicable Actuarial Standards of  Practice  as  well  as  the  Code  of
 Professional  Conduct  and Qualification Standards for Actuaries Issuing
 Statements of Actuarial Opinion of the American Academy of Actuaries, of
 which I am a member.

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Senate Bill S8024A

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Sponsored By

Monica R. Martinez

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Civil Service And Pensions Committee

Bill Amendments

2025-S8024 - Details

2025-S8024 - Summary

2025-S8024 - Sponsor Memo

2025-S8024 - Bill Text download pdf

2025-S8024A - Details

2025-S8024A - Summary

2025-S8024A - Sponsor Memo

2025-S8024A - Bill Text download pdf

2025-S8024B (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S8024B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S8024B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments