Policevet Al Odze has been working on solving a major concern of disabled
police veterans. How do we educate our children? 

Al has worked on this education law for the children of disabled policevets for 
a year or more. The proposed law is moving through the legislative process 
successfully.

For New York....its a victory because they did [not] include firemen, 
policemen and EMS. Al worked with Senator Morille whose staff was very 
supportive. He also worked with a local legislator who was a cop and the 
Speaker of the Assembly. Al also wrote a few articles in papers that were 
published  in support of this effort.
 

BILL NUMBER:A2687B

TITLE OF BILL:
An  act  to  amend  the  education law, in relation to providing tuition
awards to children  of  firefighters,  police  officers,  and  emergency
medical technicians with permanent and total disabilities

PURPOSE:
This  legislation would provide tuition awards to children of firefight-
ers, police officers and emergency medical  technicians  with  permanent
and total disabilities.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The  education  law  is  amended  by  adding  a  new section 669-d which
provides tuition awards for children of  firefighters,  police  officers
and emergency medical technicians with permanent and total disabilities.
Eligibility:  Child  whose  parent  is a firefighter, police officer and
emergency medical technician who is eligible  for  permanent  and  total
disability  benefits,  shall  be eligible for a tuition award to be made
available by the president of the higher education services corporation.
Amount shall be equal to the cost of undergraduate  tuition,  offset  by
any  other  financial  assistance or award received. Duration should not
exceed more than eight semesters, equivalent to four years  of  academic
study, or ten semesters if the undergraduate program requires five years
of academic study.

JUSTIFICATION:
Few occupational efforts are as selfless and more important than being a
fireman,  police  officer and emergency medical technician. The individ-
uals who serve in these capacities ensure not only our public safety but
also preserve our quality of life.

The work of these individuals is dangerous. Every time they go to  work,
they place their very lives in peril. The hazards they face are real and
substantial,  and their bravery, training and commitment are the princi-
pal factors of their survival and success.

Our state must recognize the importance of the service of our  uniformed
public  servants.  We must recognize their service and stand prepared to
assist their spouses and children when, in the course of the performance
of their service to the community, they are injured  and  become  perma-
nently and totally disabled.

This bill would recognize and reward the service of our state`s firemen,
police  officers  and emergency medical technicians by providing tuition
awards to children of these individuals with permanent and  total  disa-
bilities.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A.9672/S.5999-A of 2004

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date
on which it shall have become law.