New York legislation · 2025-2026 General Assembly
New York S8096: Prohibits the diminution of retiree health benefits by a public employer
Status: In committee, January 27, 2026
Prevents public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to retirees and their dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and their dependents by such public employer.
What the bill says
An act prohibiting the diminution of retiree health benefits by a public employer.
From the amended text, January 27, 2026:
AN ACT prohibiting the diminution of retiree health benefits by a public employer THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. On and after the effective date of this act, a public employer shall be prohibited from diminishing the health insurance benefits provided to retirees, who retired before, on or after the effective date of this act, and their dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and their dependents by such employer as of the retiree's date of retirement. For the purpose of this act, "public employer" shall mean any professional police and fire fighter in the state of New York. § 2. Nothing contained in this act shall supersede or diminish the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. § 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of section one of this act to the contrary, a public employer shall be prohibited from diminishing the health insurance benefits provided to retirees who retire after the effective date of this act from positions not subject to collective bargaining agreement and their dependents, or contributions such employ- EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD13145-02-6 …
Sponsors
- Peter Harckham (D, 40) · primary sponsor
- Joseph Addabbo (D, 15)
- Jacob Ashby (R, 43)
- April Baskin (D, 63)
- George Borrello (R, 57)
- Samra Brouk (D, 55)
- Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (R, 9)
- Stephen Chan (R, 17)
- Cordell Cleare (D, 30)
- Leroy Comrie (D, 14)
- Jeremy Cooney (D, 56)
- Patricia Fahy (D, 46)
Latest actions
- : PRINT NUMBER 8096A
- : AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
- : REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
- : REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
Subjects: Public Employees
Common questions
- What is S8096?
- S8096 is a bill in the New York Legislature (2025-2026 General Assembly): Prohibits the diminution of retiree health benefits by a public employer.
- What does S8096 do?
- In its own words: An act prohibiting the diminution of retiree health benefits by a public employer.
- What is the status of S8096?
- In committee as of January 27, 2026. Latest action: PRINT NUMBER 8096A (January 27, 2026).
- Who sponsored S8096?
- Peter Harckham (D, 40), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S8096?
- On the New York Legislature website: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8096
Source: official New York record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.