Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2022 – Extends provisions of law authorizing a public body to hold meetings remotely and without in-person access during the COVID-19 state disaster emergency.

This act amends portions of Chapter 417 of the laws of 2021 extending the current authorization for public bodies to hold meetings remotely and without in-person access during the COVID-19 state disaster emergency, so long as the public has the ability to view or listen to such proceeding and provided such meetings are recorded and later transcribed.

This act shall be effective as of January 14, 2022 and is repealed upon the expiration or termination of Executive Order 11 of 2021 or any extension or modification thereof.

Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2022 (Budget Bill: Part HH, Part TT, Part SS).

Part HH of this Budget Bill amends the RSSL to waive §§ 211 & 212 approval and income limitations on retirees as a result of earnings from employment in public schools in the state.

Part HH is effective April 09, 2022 and shall expire and be deemed repealed June 30, 2024 (as amended by Chapter 55 (Part V) of the Laws of 2023).

Part SS of this Budget Bill amends the RSSL to exclude pensionable earnings above the annual base wages of Tier 6 members, such as overtime payments, for purposes of calculating Basic Member Contribution (BMC) rates for plan years April 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024.

Part SS is deemed to be in full force and effect as of April 01, 2022.

Part TT of this Budget Bill amends the RSSL to lower the minimum number of years required for Tier 6 members to vest for service retirement from 10 years to 5 years of credited service.

Part TT is effective April 09, 2022.

Chapter 225 of the Laws of 2022 – Establishes the New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust.

This act establishes that employment with the Trust is considered city service for purposes of participation in NYCERS. Member employees of the NYCHA transferred to the Trust as a result of the law shall remain a member of NYCERS.

This act shall be effective August 15, 2022.

Chapter 234 of the Laws of 2022 – Extends the ability for NYC and NYS employees to get 4 (four) hours of paid leave per COVID injection.

This act amends the provisions of Chapter 77 of the Laws of 2021 and extends the ability for NYC and NYS employees to get 4 (four) hours of paid leave per COVID injection to December 31, 2023.  The law also permits collective bargaining agreements to provide for more than the 4 (four) hours. The paid leave offered is excused and is not chargeable against any other leave. The act also prohibits employers from retaliation against an employee for taking leave to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

This act shall be effective June 28, 2022.

Chapter 528 of the Laws of 2022 – Increases certain special accidental death benefits.

This law amends the Retirement and Social Security Law (RSSL) § 361-a(c) and General Municipal Law (GML) § 208-f(c) by increasing the deceased member’s salary used in the computation of the special accidental death benefit by adding to it an additional percentage. The beneficiaries of the following NYCERS members are covered: Correction Officers, Housing and Transit Police, Uniformed Sanitation members, certain EMTs and TBTA members.

This law is effective as of July 1, 2022. 

Chapter 561 of the Laws of 2022 – Extends the deadline for filing a Notice of Participation under the World Trade Center Disability Law.

This act amends the RSSL to extend the deadline for filing a Notice of Participation under the World Trade Center Disability Law to September 11, 2026.

This act is deemed to have been in full force and effect on and after September 11, 2001.

Chapter 585 of the Laws of 2022 – Allows veterans with “qualifying conditions,” and “discharged LGBT veterans” to receive credit for their military service. 

This act amends RSSL §1000 to allow veterans with “qualifying conditions,” and “discharged LGBT veterans” to receive credit for their military service if they receive a discharge that is for other than bad conduct or dishonorable.

This act shall take effect on November 10, 2023.

Chapter 775 of the Laws of 2022 – Increases NYCERS’ allowable investments.

This act amends §177 of the RSSL to increase NYCERS’ allowable investments in “Basket Clause” investments from 25% to 35% of fund assets. The Basket Clause provides a limit on the amount of NYCERS assets that can be invested in products not expressly authorized in Section 177.

This act is effective as of December 23, 2022.

Chapter 782 of the Laws of 2022 – Permits parents of a member to collect special accidental death benefits.

This act amends General Municipal Law (GML) § 208-f to permit the parents of a member to collect the Special Accidental Death Benefit (SADB) if the member has no spouse or child under the age of 18 (or 23 if the child is a student).

This act is effective as of December 23, 2022.

Chapter 783 of the Laws of 2022 – Extends provisions of the COVID-19 Accidental Death Benefit.

This act extends the provisions of the COVID-19 Accidental Death Benefit for an additional two years for members who die through December 31, 2024.

This act is deemed to have been in full force and effect on and after March 1, 2020.