Governor Andrew Cuomo greets families of first responders to the observations of
the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center. Courtesy of Cuomo’s offi ce
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | SEPT. 18-SEPT. 25, 2020 5
BY BILL PARRY
On the 19th anniversary of the
terrorist attacks at the World Trade
Center, Governor Andrew Cuomo
signed legislation reconstituting the
September 11 Workers Protection
Task Force into law.
The bill, introduced by Rockaway
Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer
Amato and Brooklyn state Senator
Andrew Gounardes, reauthorizes
the task force until 2025 and seeks to
revitalize it by refreshing appointments,
expanding the areas of study,
and setting a biannual meeting requirement
to accompany the provision
that the task force delivers reports
on its findings to the governor,
Senate and Assembly by June 1 each
year.
“These brave men and women
selflessly put their health and safety
at risk to help New York recover
in the aftermath of 9/11 and they
deserve to be taken care of the way
they took care of us,” Cuomo said.
“This measure will help ensure they
continue to receive the care they
need and that New York is able to
meet their evolving needs.”
The task force has studied and
issued reports regarding the health
impacts of exposures to toxins at
Ground Zero, the limitations of existing
laws and regulations for accidental
disability retirement benefits,
and potential federal funding
to assist the state with the costs. It
also expands the required purview
of the task force to include analysis
of the following areas: average processing
times for disability claims;
notices of approval rates for claims;
lack of disability coverage for public
employees who participated in
the response but were not members
of a retirement system at the time;
appeals processes; opportunities to
synchronize benefits and identify
individuals who participated in the
9/11 response.
“We will never forget September
11th, 2001, and that’s why our work
never stops to protect those who continue
to be impacted by the events
of that day,” Pheffer Amato said.
“The September 11th Worker Protection
Task Force will better protect
and serve the men and women, and
their families, who have sacrificed
so much for our city. I want to thank
Governor Cuomo for his leadership
in the fight to support all 9/11 first
responders, and I want to thank Senator
Gounardes for his partnership
in helping pass this bill in the state
Senate.”
Gounardes noted that nearly two
decades after the 9/11 attack, first
responders are still dealing with
the effects.
“When we say ‘never forget,’ we
must also mean never leave behind
those who were our heroes on that terrible
day and all the days after,” Gournardes
said. “This bill will allow us
to continue to ensure those workers
and responders, have the benefits and
healthcare they need and deserve,
and I want to thank Governor Cuomo
for signing my bill today.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by email
at bparry@schnepsmedia.com
or by phone at (718) 260–4538.
Assemblywoman applauds
Gov. Cuomo for signing
9/11 worker protection bill
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