Establishes a retirement service credit for volunteer fire or emergency service

This bill creates a new retirement benefit for New York State public employees who have volunteered as firefighters or in emergency services. Under the law, eligible workers can earn one year of retirement credit for every five years of volunteer service, up to a maximum of three years total. To receive this credit, employees must apply before retiring and pay a fee based on their recent earnings, while the state and their employers cover the remaining costs. The legislation also ensures that any money paid for this credit is refunded with interest if the employee dies before retiring and does not benefit from the additional service time.