Directs the division of veterans' affairs to establish and distribute a veterans' bill of rights, and to contract with veterans' services outreach programs

Summary of provisions

Amends the executive law to add a new section 353-a to provide for a veterans' bill of rights which the Division of Veterans' Affairs will be responsible for establishing, printing, publishing, and distributing. The section includes text that shall be included in the bill of rights. The Division will be required to post the veterans' bill of rights on their website, and distribute it in all offices of the Division, at all local veterans' services agencies, and at every veterans' services outreach program and at every state and local agency which provides services, benefits or assistance to veterans.

Amends the executive law to add a new section 361-c to provide for veterans' services outreach programs throughout the State. The programs will provide veterans with information on, assistance with, and referral to programs which provide services and benefits that veterans are eligible to receive. The outreach programs will be required to cooperate with veterans' agencies and local municipalities and communities. The Division of Veterans' Affairs will contract with and certify qualified not-for-profit organizations to operate veterans' services outreach programs given specified conditions and application guidelines. The outreach programs shall provide services, counseling, information and referral services to veterans based on need or eligibility, including referral to agencies providing public assistance benefits and services.

Justification

According to the Division of Veterans' Affairs, to date, there are approximately 988,217 veterans in New York State. Of these veterans, there are around 85,000 New Yorkers who have participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or both, since September 11, 2001. These "new" veterans, as well as those who have admirably served our country in the past, are not only mothers and fathers, but contributing members of their communities who are expected to

resume their everyday lives upon return. These homecomings can only be successful, if New York State's veterans are made aware of, and provided with, the proper information and appropriate access to New York State services and benefits.

What we now recognize is that, among other things, there is a higher incidence of post traumatic stress syndrome, rate of suicide, and depression, among returning soldiers than ever before. At this time, the Division of Veterans' Affairs maintains 71 local points of access, some full-time and others itinerant. Hypothetically, if each center serviced an equal amount of veterans in our State, this would equate to an overwhelming 13,918 servicemen and women per center. In light of these numbers, it is vital that New York State increase the number of veterans' centers in order to provide services, information, assistance, and support, in an attempt to successfully meet the needs of the veterans, their families, and their communities.

This bill will enable the Department of Veterans' Affairs to certify not-for-profit organizations to serve as outreach programs in order to expand the network of agencies aiding our veterans by utilizing pre-existing infrastructure. Such programs will be charged with providing veterans information on assistance, referrals, and counseling. To that end, a Veterans' Bill of Rights will be distributed to each veteran at all veterans' agencies and centers and will be posted on the Division of Veterans' Affairs website. This will educate our veterans on the benefits and assistance afforded to them in this State, and will ensure that each veteran has the appropriate assistance in his/her transition from active military duty to civilian life.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implication

To be determined.

Local fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

The first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law; provided that effective immediately, any action necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized to be completed on or before such effective date.