Rules Committee backs home‑rule request for death benefits for Orange County corrections staff

The Rules Committee approved a request that the Orange County Legislature send a home‑rule message to the New York State Legislature supporting bills that would provide death benefits to current and retired corrections personnel employed by the county.

Sheriff Paul Arteta and Under Sheriff Evelyn Mallard presented the request alongside representatives from the Corrections Officers' Benevolent Association. COBA President Eric Colby told the committee the benefit would extend to corrections officers, sergeants, lieutenants, captains, majors, colonels and senior corrections managers employed by the county and would provide a survivor benefit similar to protections offered historically to law enforcement, firefighters and teachers.

Colby said some corrections officers who stay beyond retirement eligibility face financial insecurity for their families if the officer dies after continued service. "They still qualify to pull the retirement if in the event of their death. Currently they get a benefit of something like a life insurance policy which is not enough to maintain a family," Colby said. He urged support to retain experienced personnel and provide financial security to families.

The committee recorded that the bill had passed the Public Safety committee overwhelmingly and that all members present were sponsors; the Rules Committee called the question and carried the home‑rule request. The request references Assembly Bill A6756 and Senate Bill S5726, per the presenters' description.

The committee voted to forward the home‑rule request and to list the item as an all‑sponsor measure for the legislature's consideration.