What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to veterans' affairs
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.625
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
- Committed to rules
- Amended on third reading 5570a
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1029
Show 1 earlier action
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Authorizes a veteran's close friend or family member who is reasonably familiar with such veteran's wishes to request that such veteran be buried in a state veterans' cemetery
In Assembly Committee · Veterans' Affairs · Sponsor Michael DenDekker
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5570A
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law and the public health law, in relation to authorizing a veteran's close friend or family member who is reasonably familiar with such veteran's wishes to request that such veteran be buried in a veterans' cemetery
Purpose or general idea of bill
To allow for a close friend to sign for a veteran's burial rights in a cemetery in certain circumstances.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 would allow the "agent in control of the disposition of remains" who has knowledge of a veteran's desire to be buried in a veterans' cemetery, to request that a deceased veteran be buried in a veteran's cemetery.
Section 2 allows a close friend or relative who is reasonably familiar with the decedents wishes to act as the agent in control of the disposition of remains, when no one higher on the list is reasonably available, willing, or competent to act.
Section 3 sets the effective date immediately.
Justification
Many veterans wish to be buried in Veteran Memorial Cemetaries. In a case where a veteran has no living family or no family is known or can be found, the deceased veteran will have no "next of kin" available to sign off on paper work as it pertains to burial rights. This bill would allow for, in certain circumstances, a friend or neighbor to sign off for a veteran's burial rights when no next of kin is available.
This issue was brought up when an Ontario County Veteran passed away, with no surviving family to sign off on the veterans burial rights. A friend of the veteran was informed prior to the death, that the Veteran wished to be buried at the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetary. Due to the language of the law, this veteran could not be buried at the facility. This dilemma is one faced in many counties across the State. This legislation will correct this predicament.
Prior legislative history
New Bill
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.