ALBANY - New York Gov. David Paterson is signing a bill into law that prohibits independent contractors from double dipping to unlawfully collect pension benefits.

An investigation found that many lawyers who work as part-time contractors for the state's BOCES districts were inappropriately listed as full-time employees to get health and pension benefits.

The new law bars attorneys from working for a school district or BOCES as an employee and as a contractor at the same time. It also prohibits contractors from getting employee benefits and requires more reporting and disclosure from school districts.