Requires directors of county veterans service agencies to be accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

BILL NUMBER:S5825

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring directors of county veterans service agencies to be accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Purpose

This legislation will require directors of county veterans service agencies to become accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Summary of provisions

This bill would amend the executive law to:

1. Require current directors of a county or city veterans' service agency within three years from the effective date of this measure to take all necessary steps to be accredited as a veterans' service organization (VSO) representative. Accreditation shall mean the authority granted by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans and their family members in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for benefits. Once the director is notified of his or her accreditation, a copy of the certificate shall be filed with the director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs. The accreditation shall be maintained during the duration of his or her status as a director.

2. Any county or city director hired after the effective date of this statute shall take all necessary steps to be accredited as a veterans' service organization (VSO) representative within eighteen months of such appointment. Accreditation shall mean the authority granted by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans and their family members in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for benefits. Once the director is notified or his or her accreditation, a copy of the certificate shall be filed with the director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs. The accreditation shall be maintained during the duration of his or her status as a director.

3. During the time a director is working toward accreditation pursuant to subdivision a and b, such individual may provide services to veterans and their family members as defined in section three hundred fifty-eight of the executive law other than the Preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for benefits under federal statues and regulations.

4. Section 2 is the effective date.

Justification

County executives and mayors have the right to appoint directors of their own municipalities' veterans service agencies. However, only accredited veterans service organization representatives have access to the pertinent data from the Department of Veteran's Affairs needed to process veterans' benefits claims. Therefore, it would be of great benefit to the county/city offices and all New York State veterans that the directors become accredited. This bill will enhance the ability of veterans to get the state and the federal benefits to which they are entitled in a more efficient and timely manner.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.: This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law; provided that any rules and regulations necessary for the timely implementation of this act on the effective date shall be promulgated on or before such date.