New Patriot Plan legislation would
provide expanded benefits to New York's service members

Governor George E. Pataki and Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi unveiled Patriot Plan III - legislation that would provide expanded benefits to New York's military personnel and their families and build on the historic Patriot Plans I and II, which were signed into law in 2003 and 2004. The new plan will ensure that New York continues to provide the most comprehensive benefits package in the nation for military personnel and their families.

Patriot Plan III would provide New York state's public employees who serve America in an active duty military status and their families benefits beyond what are already provided under previous Patriot Plan laws and existing military benefit programs. The hallmark provision of the new proposal would provide survivors of public employees who give their life while on active duty in the Armed forces with the same death benefits that their survivors would have been entitled to had they died while working as a public employee.

New York State Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi said, "When state employees make the ultimate sacrifice for our country, their grieving families should not also face financial loss. And state employees fighting for freedom should not have to worry about their families' financial future."

There is no provision in current law that provides continued health insurance coverage or public pension death benefits to the survivors of an eligible public employee who is killed while on active duty in the military. In addition, there is no provision of law that provides for the payment of life insurance premiums on behalf of the members of the organized militia.

Highlights of Patriot Plan III include:

•Providing the survivors of eligible public employees who give their life while on active duty in the Armed Forces with the same death benefits that their survivors would be entitled if the public employee made the ultimate sacrifice while working as a public employee.

•Providing the survivors of eligible public employees who pass away while on active duty in the Armed Forces with the same health insurance benefits to which such survivors would be entitled if the public employee was killed while working as a public employee.

•Reimbursing premium payments sufficient to assume the costs for $250,000 worth of Service Member's General Life Insurance Program for members of the New York State organized militia during periods of active service. This would ensure that soldiers' families are provided for if their loved one makes the ultimate sacrifice.

•Creating a new "War on Terror" license plate that shall be issued, upon request, to veterans of the Persian Gulf or Afghanistan conflicts.

In addition to these legislative provisions, the Governor also recently directed the implementation of two other important measures to provide support to soldiers returning from active duty.

To see a complete listing of provisions that are part of the original Patriot Plan and Patriot Plan II go to www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year03/july3 03.htm and www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year04/june 23 2 04.htm.