Establishes the New York state interagency coordinating council for service-disabled veterans, defines the powers and duties of the council, requires an annual report

1 Co-sponsor

• Martin J. Golden

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the New York state interagency coordinating council for service-disabled veterans, defining the powers and duties of the council and requiring an annual report by the council to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would establish a. New York State Interagency coordinating Council for Service-Disabled Veterans to provide accessible, coordinated, and specialized services to service disabled veterans from multiple state and local agencies.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill amends the Executive Law by adding a new section 368 to create the New York State Interagency Coordinating Council for Service-Disabled Veterans.

The Council will include ten agency heads or their designees from the following agencies: the director of the NYS Division of Veterans' Affairs, who will also serve as chair of this council, the NYS Division of Military and Naval Affairs, the Division of Housing & Community Renewal, the Offices of Mental Health, Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Aging and the Departments of Health, Labor, Education and Transportation.

In addition to the agency representatives, the Council will include nine service-disabled veteran representatives appointed by the Governor and the State Legislature.

Functions of the Council would include:

(a) promoting the implementation of a comprehensive statewide program of coordinated services for service-disabled veterans that includes: (1) matters pertaining to educational training and retraining services and facilities, (2) health, medical and rehabilitation services and facilities, (3) employment and re-employment services, including small business opportunities, (4) housing options, (5) transportation options, (6) long term care, (7) personal care, (8) day program services, (9) family outreach and (10) other essential services that maximize existing resources and administrative mechanisms;

(b) disseminating general information about available services to service-disabled veterans and how such services can be accessed;

(c) receiving complaints in matters affecting service-disabled veterans and to refer such complaints to the appropriate regulatory agencies where it deems necessary or appropriate; and

(d) conducting an ongoing evaluation of the needs of service-disabled veterans.

The Council shall meet quarterly and shall seek to consult with the federal department of veterans' affairs, specifically with the network directors of VISN 2 & 3.

The Council shall report to the Governor and State Legislature beginning on or before September 1, 2011 with advisement on policy, legislative recommendations and any other recommendations improving service delivery and coordination, reducing duplication and fragmentation and facilitating the most efficient use of existing resources.

Justification

There are many veterans returning home from active military duty with service-related disabilities. This bill would create an interagency collaboration to identify the needs and services that service-disabled veterans require and a more efficient matching of these needs to State resources. New York State must provide additional assistance and support to service-disabled veterans to better inform them of available services and how such services can be accessed.

Legislative history

Passed Assembly

2009: A.8296 Espaillat

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.