Asm. Philip Ramos

The bill expands Workers' Compensation eligibility for mental injury claims from a limited list of professions (police, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, emergency dispatchers) to all workers. Supporters argued it addresses gaps in current law by allowing workers in other high-stress professions like nurses, correction officers, and supermarket workers to have claims heard by the Workers' Compensation Board. Opponents raised concerns about undefined standards for 'extraordinary stress,' potential fraud, unknown costs to businesses, and the bill's impact on New York's already-high Workers' Compensation rates and business climate.

The bill expands Workers' Compensation eligibility for mental injury claims based on extraordinary work-related stress from a limited list of professions (police, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, emergency dispatchers) to all workers. Supporters argued the expansion is necessary to cover workers like nurses, correction officers, and supermarket employees who experience extraordinary stress but are currently excluded. Opponents raised concerns about undefined standards for "extraordinary stress," potential fraud, unknown costs to businesses, and the impact on an already-strained Workers' Compensation system and business climate.

As a former 20-year police officer, argued the bill does not dictate what police should do and actually helps officers by providing well-defined rules and procedures that protect both the public and law enforcement, preventing subjective second-guessing.

The bill addresses a 2005 report showing declining numbers of Hispanic and Black employees in State Civil Service. Annual reporting on exam-taker demographics will identify where diversity problems exist and help the state achieve a more diverse workforce that benefits both employees and the public.

As a Hispanic male with ancestors who were slaves, expressed sadness that colleagues oppose a logical bill studying slavery's atrocities and the need for repair; noted the irony that opponents vote no but then claim they should be included in the commission.

Argued that uniform standards and officer training are necessary to prevent abuse of ALPR technology, which can track individuals' movements. Noted that while the technology is valuable for solving crimes, it can be misused to stalk individuals, and that different police departments have different rules, necessitating statewide standards.