Governor Cuomo has signed legislation increasing special accidental death benefits for spouses and children of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. Specifically, the new law increases cost of living benefits by 3 percent for the deceased’s spouse or the deceased’s children under the age of 18 or, if a student, under the age of 23. This legislation goes into effect immediately. The Governor said in a press statement that police and firefighters who lose their lives in the line of duty are mothers, fathers, husbands and wives — and the family members they leave behind must be properly cared for.
By Michael Baldwin
