Assemblyman Steve Labriola recently announced legislation that would make it easier for World Trade Center victims and their families to navigate the legal maze involved in the recovery of any financial losses resulting from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The Sept. 11 Victims and Families Relief Act would amend the workers' compensation law; the estates, powers and trusts law; the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act; and, the tax law to provide essential assistance to the victims and families of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

In particular, the bill:

* Makes clear that insurance companies cannot terminate the workers' compensation benefits being paid to victims and their families if they seek compensation from the federal Victim Compensation Fund;

* Provides that the insurers will not have a lien against the compensation that the victims and their families receive from the federal Victim Compensation Fund;

* Ensures that the personal representatives of individuals killed in the terrorist attacks will not be held liable for reasonable and good-faith actions taken with respect to the federal Victim Compensation Fund;

* Allows families of those killed in the attacks to commence probate and related proceedings in any county in the state, and limits fiduciary commissions in Surrogate's Court actions;

* Clarifies that all awards from the federal Victim Compensation Fund will be exempt from all state and local taxes; and

* Provides guidance to the federal Special Master relating to the ability of domestic partners to obtain compensation from the Victim Compensation Fund.

Úquot;This legislation is important to many Long Islanders who were affected by the terrorist attacks,Úquot; said Labriola. Úquot;This bill will make it easier for those families to receive the assistance they need as they try to move on with their lives.Úquot;