Buffalo, NY (WBEN) A first-in-the-nation mental health policy is now in effect in New York, where troopers are guaranteed a minimum of 20 calendar days of paid leave if they are designated as a primary member of a critical incident, and a minimum of 10 calendar days if they are otherwise directly involved. The union representing troopers says this law ensures that troopers exposed to traumatic incidents no longer will be forced to contend with stigma or financial penalties for taking extended time off to fully recover and prepare to safely return to work.
“Our members carry out one of the most demanding public safety missions in the nation, providing them access to immediate paid time off after a critical incident will help them process trauma and recover without facing financial or professional penalties,” said New York State Troopers PBA President Charles W. Murphy. “We are grateful for Assemblymember Burke’s persistence in pushing this legislation forward after it was vetoed in 2025. His leadership helped secure its passage and earned him the honor of our union’s Legislator of the Year. We thank him for helping secure this important protection for our Troopers and ensuring they have the support they need to return to duty ready to safely and fully serve all New Yorkers.”
Murphy says the law peels away at the stigma of seeking mental health help. Iif they say, "I'm struggling now, there's a situation where, "Are you fit to work? So you have instances where maybe someone does need more time, but they're afraid they're going to be damaged to their family or their reputation, so they're hurrying back to work. This really does help pull that back, and for the first time ever, you know, it's leading nation legislation that allows us to make sure the people are fit and ready to actually be out there taking care of New Yorkers when they need them," adds Murphy.
Murphy credits Assemblymember Patrick Burke for getting the bill across the finish line. "He wouldn't let it go, even after the governor had to veto it initially. He kept working it and worked with her," says Murphy.
“This is groundbreaking, first-in-the-nation legislation that I believe will become a model for how we take care of the people who take care of us,” said Assemblymember Patrick Burke. “Troopers see things most of us can’t imagine, and giving them time to recover after a critical incident is just common sense. We passed this with overwhelming bipartisan support, the Governor vetoed it — and we didn’t give up. We fought like hell, kept at it, and got it done.”
The law took effect Thursday.
Troopers directly involved in death of serious injury allowed to take at least 20 days off to process and recover
Troopers directly involved in death of serious injury allowed to take at least 20 days off to process and recover
