NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A7279
SPONSOR: Gray
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act granting David Morse, the parent of firefighter Peyton Morse,
accidental death benefits
 
PURPOSE:
this bill would grant David Morse, the parents of firefighter Peyton
Morse,, accidental death benefits.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Permits David Morse to apply for accidental death benefits.
Section 2: States that all costs of this act shall be paid for by the
state of New York.
Section 3: Sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
To all who met him, Peyton Morse was a hero. He lived a life of service
and dedication to the community of Lafargeville. He felt that the best
way to use his talents would be to help others as a firefighter. He
spent hours training and volunteering for this job, earning the admira-
tion of his peers and supervisors alike. After graduation from Siena
College, he joined the Watertown Fire Department to start his career.
However, he passed away at the New York State Fire Academy in March of
2021. His tragic death sent shockwaves across his town. Peyton has, and
will continue to be, recognized as a public servant who always put other
before himself.
In the wake of this tragedy, Peyton's family deserves accidental death
benefits for Peyton's untimely death. Obtaining them, however, has been
difficult. This bill would correct this injustice to the Morse family
and ensure that Peyton's sacrifice does not go unremembered by the state
of New York.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Effective immediately.