ALBANY, N.Y. April 7 – Health insurance coverage for school district retirees has been extended for one year under legislation passed by both houses of the New York State Legislature and sent to the Governor for his approval.

Health insurance for school district retirees has been protected from unilateral reduction since 1994 under provisions of a law which is subject to annual renewal, according to Senator Hugh T. Farley (R/C/I Fulton), Senate sponsor.The legislation repeals the sunset date and sets it at May 15, 2007.

The 1994 lawsays that school districts may not reduce the level of health insurance coverage or contribution toward the cost for retirees, unless reduction applies equally to active employees. This protects retirees by in effect making them part of the collective bargaining, Farley said.The law does not, however, prevent school districts from takingcost cutting measures, so long as they apply equally to active members and retirees.There has been no harm to school districts over the past decade as the result of this requirement for fair treatment of retirees, he added.

The Assembly bill was sponsored by Assemblywoman Helene E. Weinstein (D Kings).