Senator Kemp Hannon announced the passage of bipartisan legislation to provide for reimbursement of counseling expenses for those relief workers traumatized by the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the work they performed at the World Trade Center.

The bill (Senate bill 3039) provides for reimbursement for unreimbursed or unreimbursdable counseling expenses incurred by relief workers who worked at the World Trade Center site in the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The legislation also provides for the waiver of certain surrogate's filing fees related to the estates or affairs of persons missing or deceased as a result of the attacks.

"So many of our neighbors and friends worked at the Trade Center after the attacks. Since then, we have been working to obtain more funding from the federal government to aid those who have had serious health implications. This bill is something we as a state can do to make life a little easier for those who gave their assistance," Senator Hannon said.

Existing law provides for the reimbursement of counseling expenses only for certain crime victims and their families. Additionally, claimants must show financial difficulty for claims that exceed $5,000. On September 12, 2001, then-Governor Pataki signed an executive order suspending these restrictions for certain individuals as a result of the terrorist attacks, but that order has now expired.

Senator Hannon added, "This bill will make it permanent law in New York that the relief workers are entitled to reimbursement for counseling expenses. We have to take into consideration both the physical and mental health of those who risked their lives in the aftermath of the attacks."

The bill was passed by the State Senate and State Assembly and is awaiting the signature of the governor.