What's happening
This bill requires New York employers to grant veterans leave on Veterans Day unless it would cause undue hardship to the business.
Why it matters
Veterans must provide advance documentation. To be eligible for Veterans Day leave, veterans must submit written proof of their status to their employer by October 15, ensuring employers have time to plan for potential absences.
Leave is flexible but not paid unless chosen. The leave can be unpaid or veterans can choose to use other available paid leave (like vacation or personal days), giving flexibility but not guaranteeing a paid day off.
Collective bargaining agreements are protected. The bill explicitly states it cannot be used to reduce benefits or conflict with rights under union contracts, maintaining protections for unionized employees.
Definition of 'veteran' is specific. Only honorably discharged veterans who are New York residents (or permanent legal residents) qualify, focusing the benefit on a defined group and preventing broader application.
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
Veterans Get Veterans Day Off
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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.
Veterans Get Veterans Day Off
In Assembly Committee · Labor · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
264
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 labor law, in relation to establishing a leave of absence for veterans
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The labor law is amended by adding a new section 202-n to read as follows:
§ 202-n. Leave of absence for veterans. 1. Any person may request and shall be granted a leave of absence from his or her employer on Veterans Day, November eleventh, if such person qualifies as a veteran under this section unless the employer determines that the person's absence would impose an undue hardship on the conduct of the employer's business as defined by paragraph (d) of subdivision ten of section two hundred ninety-six of the executive law.
2. Subdivision one of this section shall apply only when the employer has previously received written documentation identifying the person as a veteran on or before October fifteenth of the same year such leave is being requested.
3. The entire period of the authorized leave of absence granted pursuant to this section shall either be unpaid excused leave for persons who are subject to the overtime provisions of this chapter, the federal fair labor standards act and regulations promulgated thereunder, or may otherwise be charged against any other leave to which such person is entitled, as determined by the person.
4. Nothing set forth in this section shall be construed to impede, infringe or diminish the rights and benefits which accrue to employees through bona fide collective bargaining agreements, or otherwise diminish the integrity of the existing collective bargaining relationship.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02266-01-9
S. 264 2
5. For the purposes of this section, the term "veteran" shall mean a member of the armed forces of the United States who was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from such service, who is a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States and who is a resident of the state of New York at the time of application for leave.
6. This section shall not apply to any individual covered by section sixty-three of the public officers law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of October next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the labor law, in relation to establishing a leave of absence for veterans
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation would allow a Veteran to have off for Veterans Day.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 creates a new section 202-n of labor law to allow a veteran to be granted a leave of absence from their employer on Veterans Day if they qualify as a veteran. This section does allow for a hardship waiver for business. Further this section states that a Veteran shall put the request in writing before October 15th. This section shall either be unpaid excused leave or may be charged to other available leaves at the discretion of the employee.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
Veterans day is a day to honor and celebrate those who have served in our Armed Forces. Requiring those who served to work on those days runs counter to the spirit of this day. This legislation would allow Veterans to be able to truly enjoy a day that is meant to honor them by allowing the Veteran the option of taking that day off if they so choose. At a time when we are looking for ways to thank those who serve, allowing them to march in parades honoring them or to do what they see fit on this day of honor only is fit.
Prior legislative history
S. 678 of 2017/2018 advanced to Third Reading S. 3467A/A. 6324A of 2015/16; Advanced to Third Reading
Fiscal implications
None
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.