Relates to health insurance coverage for surviving dependents following the death of a police officer by suicide

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Berger and 6 co-sponsors

Provides a guaranteed 90-day continuation of the officer’s health insurance for surviving spouses, partners, and dependents after a police officer’s death by suicide.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES

Summary of Bill A. 9428 (2025-2026) – New York

Purpose and Intent

A. 9428 seeks to expand and clarify health insurance coverage for surviving dependents when a police officer dies by suicide. The bill ensures that, in such tragic cases, the surviving spouse or domestic partner and other dependents have continued access to the officer’s health insurance coverage for a set period after death. It applies to both active and retired police officers who were enrolled in a health insurance plan at the time of death.

Key Provisions

New York City Administrative Code (Health Insurance for Survivors):

Adds a new subparagraph (v) to paragraph 2 of subdivision b, section 12-126.
Provides that, notwithstanding other laws, if an active or retired NYPD member dies by suicide and was enrolled in a health insurance plan, the surviving spouse or domestic partner and any dependents shall be afforded the right to the health insurance coverage, including coverage that is predicated on enrollment in the hospital and medical program for the aged and disabled (Medicare-related program), for a period of ninety days following the death.
This coverage mirrors the treatment for survivors of retirees and dependents set forth in subparagraph (i) of the same paragraph.

Civil Service Law (Continuation of Health Coverage):

Adds a new subdivision 3 to section 165.
States that, notwithstanding other laws, in the event of death by suicide of an active or retired police officer who had health coverage for the officer and dependents at the time of death, the unremarried spouse and the officer’s covered dependents are eligible to continue full health benefit plan coverage for ninety days after the officer’s death.

Consistency with Other Provisions:

Amends section 161-a (subdivision 2) to clarify the hierarchy of regulations. It preserves that federal and NY regulations can control where relevant, but makes explicit that the new provisions (v) in section 12-126 and subdivision 3 of section 165 take precedence where applicable.

Effective Date: Immediate upon enactment.

Who Is Affected

Surviving spouses or domestic partners of NYPD officers who die by suicide while enrolled in a health insurance plan.

The officer’s dependents who are covered under the officer’s health insurance.

City health insurance programs and state civil service health benefit plans that cover such officers and dependents.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

The bill specifies a fixed continuation period of ninety days after the officer’s death for retained health coverage for survivors.

It contains cross-references and clarifications to ensure consistency with existing health insurance and civil service regulations, including potential interactions with Medicare-based coverage.

Immediate effective date means provisions apply upon enactment.

Practical Impact

Provides a guaranteed 90-day window of continued health insurance for survivors of police officers who die by suicide, reducing potential gaps in coverage during a traumatic time.

Aligns with established protections for survivors of death-in-service in other contexts, while clarifying applicability specifically to suicide-related deaths among officers.

May require administrative coordination to ensure seamless continuation of benefits for affected families during the post-loss period.