New York Senate Bill S07817

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/9/25
• Refer: 5/9/25
• Engrossed: 6/12/25
• Refer: 6/12/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Authorizes Janice Middlebrooks, the widow of William James Middlebrooks, to file a retirement option election on behalf of her deceased husband.

Impact

The enactment of S07817 not only allows the widow to complete the filing process, but it also retroactively changes the disability retirement date to November 1, 2004. This position seeks to acknowledge the unique circumstances surrounding the death of William James Middlebrooks and provide some degree of financial stability to his widow. The bill is expected to incur immediate costs estimated at $489,000, which will be shared among all participating employers within the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System.

Summary

Bill S07817 aims to provide a significant adjustment to the retirement options available to the widow of William James Middlebrooks, a former employee of the Albion Correctional Facility. The bill specifically authorizes Janice Middlebrooks to file a retirement option election form on behalf of her deceased husband, who passed away before he could complete the necessary paperwork due to health complications stemming from cancer. This adjustment enables her to claim benefits that would otherwise be unavailable due to procedural requirements of the retirement system in New York State.

Contention

Discussions surrounding this bill may experience minimal opposition as it primarily addresses a specific case rather than broader policy implications impacting the retirement system. However, it could evoke discussions on the adequacy of existing retirement provisions for state employees and their families. While highlighting the need for clear procedures for similar cases, possible concerns might arise about the economic implications for state resources when accommodating exceptions to retirement regulations.