What's happening
This bill expands eligibility for MERIT scholarships to families of New York military personnel who die or are disabled in any official duty, not just in combat zones.
Why it matters
Broadens coverage to all official military duties. By removing language restricting eligibility to combat zones and expanding it to any official duties, the bill recognizes that military service risks are not limited to combat and supports families affected by non-combat incidents.
Increases equity for military families. Families of service members who die or are disabled during training, stateside service, or other non-combat assignments will now be eligible, addressing previous gaps in support and acknowledging a wider range of sacrifices.
May lead to more scholarship recipients. Expanding eligibility could increase the number of students receiving MERIT scholarships, providing greater educational opportunities and financial relief to more military-connected New Yorkers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free Tuition for Military Families
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
- 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.
Free Tuition for Military Families
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Stephen Hawley
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
193
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to providing scholarships for surviving dependent family members of New York state military personnel who have died while performing official military duties
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 668-e of the education law, as added by chapter 106 of the laws of 2003, is amended to read as follows:
§ 668-e. Military enhanced recognition, incentive and tribute ("MERIT") scholarships. 1. Eligible persons. a. Notwithstanding subdivisions three and five of section six hundred sixty-one of this [title] part, children, spouses and financial dependents of a member of the armed forces of the United States or state organized militia who at any time on or after the second day of August, nineteen hundred ninety, while in service in the armed forces of the United States, as defined by subdivision eight of section one of the military law or in a force of the state organized militia, as defined in subdivision nine of section one of the military law: (i) while a legal resident of New York state, died, became severely and permanently disabled or was classified as missing in action [in a combat theater or combat zone of operations as part of military operations, or died as a result of injury or illness suffered or incurred during such military service] in the performance of his or her official duties; or (ii) while a legal resident of New York state, died or became severely and permanently disabled as a result of injury or illness suffered or incurred during military training operations in preparation for duty in a combat theater or combat zone of operations.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01527-01-9
S. 193 2
b. A member of the armed forces of the United States who: (i) became severely and permanently disabled as a result of service in the armed forces of the United States, as defined by subdivision eight of section one of the military law, [in a combat theater or combat zone of operations] in the performance of his or her official duties as part of military operations at any time on or after the second day of August, nineteen hundred ninety; and (ii) was a legal resident of New York state at the time of military service.
c. A member of the armed forces of the United States who: (i) became severely and permanently disabled as a result of injury or illness suffered or incurred during military training operations [in preparation for duty in a combat theater or combat zone of operations] in the performance of his or her official duties; and (ii) was a legal resident of New York state at the time of military service.
d. A member of the state organized militia who: (i) became severely and permanently disabled as a result of injury or illness suffered or incurred during active military service, as defined in subdivision six of section one of the military law related to duty [in a combat theater or combat zone of operations] in the performance of his or her official duties; and (ii) was a legal resident of New York state at the time of active military service.
2. Amount. The president shall grant annual scholarships in amounts determined in accordance with subdivisions two and three of section six hundred sixty-eight-d of this part.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing scholarships for surviving dependent family members of New York state military personnel who have died while performing official military duties
Purpose or general idea of bill
Surviving dependent family members of NYS military personnel who die on state or federal active while performing official duties, shall receive free tuition, room and board at an institution of higher learning located within New York.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 - Any surviving dependent family members of NYS military that is a legal resident of the state of New York who dies on state or feder- al active duty while performing official duties shall receive free tuition, room and board at SUNY or CUNY institution, or a commensurate amount to be applied to a public college or university.
Section 2 - Effective date.
Justification
This legislation will take care of the brave soldiers' dependents if they die while performing official duties. Dependents of the fallen heroes will receive a "MERIT" scholarship that will provide them free tuition and room and board at CUNY or SUNY institutions, or a commensu- rate amount to be applied to a public college or university.
Prior legislative history
S. 254 of 2017/2018; Passed Senate S. 3113 of 2015/2016; Passed Senate S.4131/A.326(2013-14); Referred to Higher Education A1245 - 05/15/12 - held for consideration in higher education A4055 - 05/04/10 - held for consideration in higher education A6055 - 01/09/08 - referred to higher education A6055 - 02/28/07 - referred to higher education A11618 - 05/30/06 - referred to higher education
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
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.