What's happening
This bill expands the definition of "veteran" for county veterans' service agency directors to include individuals with a DD Form 214.
Why it matters
Broadens eligibility for director positions. By including individuals with a DD Form 214 as "veterans," the bill allows a wider pool of qualified candidates—such as those who served but might not meet older, more restrictive state definitions—to serve as county veterans' service agency directors.
Aligns with federal military records. The DD Form 214 is the standard federal document proving military service. Recognizing it in state law could reduce confusion, streamline hiring, and ensure that those with legitimate service backgrounds are not excluded due to technicalities.
Potentially increases representation and understanding. Veterans who were previously excluded from the definition may bring diverse experiences and perspectives to the role, potentially improving services for a broader range of veterans in the community.
Reduces administrative ambiguity. The amendment clarifies who qualifies as a veteran for these positions, which can help counties avoid disputes or delays in the hiring process and ensure compliance with both state and federal standards.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Broaden Veteran Definition
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading cal.279
- Returned to assembly
- Died in senate
- Referred to rules
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Advanced to third reading cal.453
- Reported
- Referred to veterans' 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.
Broaden Veteran Definition
In Senate Committee · Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs · Sponsor Jen Metzger
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7573
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to the definition of "veteran"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 357 of the executive law, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 43 of the laws of 1996, are amended to read as follows:
1. County veterans' service agencies. There shall be established a county veterans' service agency in each county not wholly included within a city, and there shall be a county director of each county veterans' service agency. Any county director hired after the effective date of this statute shall be a veteran [as defined in New York state statute]; provided however, for the purposes of this section, a veteran may also include an individual with a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. The [chairman] chairperson of the board of supervisors of a county, with the approval of the board of supervisors, shall appoint and may at pleasure remove a county director of the county veterans' service agency for such county. In a county having a county president, a county executive or other chief executive officer, such president or executive officer shall appoint and may at pleasure remove a county director. The county director may be paid such compensation as shall be fixed by the appointing officer and the board of supervisors. The county director shall appoint such assistants and employees as he or she may deem necessary, other than those, if any, supplied by the state; he or she may prescribe the duties of those appointed by him or her and fix their salaries within the appropriations made available for that purpose by the county and may at pleasure remove any such assistants or employees. The county director shall have jurisdiction throughout the territorial limits of the county, including any city therein which does
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11304-01-9
A. 7573 2
not have a city veterans' service agency, provided that after the establishment of a city veterans' service agency in any such city, the county director shall not have jurisdiction within such city.
2. City veterans' service agency. There may be established a city veterans' service agency in each city; and there shall be a city director of each city veterans' service agency which is established. The mayor of such city, or the city manager in a city of less than one hundred forty thousand population having a city manager, shall appoint and may at pleasure remove the city director. A city director may be paid such compensation as shall be fixed by the mayor or city manager, as the case may be, empowered to appoint the city director, and the governing body of the city. The city director may appoint such deputies, assistants and employees as he or she may deem necessary other than those, if any, supplied by the state; he or she may prescribe the duties of those appointed by him or her and fix their salaries within the appropriations made available for that purpose by the city and may at pleasure remove any such assistant or employee. A city director shall have jurisdiction throughout the territorial limits of the city.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.