What's happening
This bill requires the state's veterans' services website to include a link to a region-specific mobile app for veterans' resources.
Why it matters
Improves accessibility to veteran resources. by ensuring the state's main veterans' services website directly links to a region-specific mobile app, making it easier for veterans and their families to find relevant local support.
Promotes awareness of available benefits. such as education, job assistance, mental health services, and tax exemptions—by centralizing access through both the website and a tailored app, potentially increasing utilization.
Encourages digital inclusion for veterans. by mandating the state to maintain and publicize a mobile app, potentially reaching younger or tech-savvy veterans who may prefer mobile platforms over traditional websites.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Link Vets App to Website
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 7
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Signed chap.488
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading cal.429
- Substituted for A6792A
- Referred to veterans' affairs
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.770
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Print number 4477a
Show 2 earlier actions
- Amend and recommit 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.
Link Vet App on Website
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Steve Stern
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4477--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 12, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KAPLAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to webpage access to any mobile application used to search for veterans' services
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 14-a of section 353 of the executive law, as added by chapter 358 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows:
14-a. To establish, operate and maintain a free mobile application, under the supervision of the state director, for the purposes of providing veterans and their family members with information, available on a region-specific basis, relating to services provided by the division as well as services and programs provided to veterans by other state agencies, the federal government, and other organizations. Such services and programs shall include, but not be limited to educational and job benefits, tuition assistance programs, survivor benefits, health and mental health referrals, and real property tax exemptions. The division's website shall contain a link to the free mobile application.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10734-03-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to webpage access to any mobile application used to search for veterans' services
Purpose or general idea of bill
To require the New York State Division of Veterans' Services to post on its website information related to the Division's veterans' services application that is available for download.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Adds amends Subdivision 14-a of section 353 of the executive law to require the free mobile application that is available to veterans and their family members the ability to search for programs on a region-specific basis. The division website is required to contain a link to the free mobile application.
Section 2: Sets the effective date.
Justification
Veterans' support services are essential to protecting those who have sacrificed so much for our country. The New York State Veterans' App provides users with a multitude of material on federal and state veter- ans benefits, programs and services. Under the guise of the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs, this mobile app also allows for veterans to communicate directly with state and local government enti- ties that provide invaluable assistance. With the "Near Me" feature, veterans can find the address and contact information for their local New York State Division of Veterans' Services field office and County Veterans Service Agencies.
While this mobile application is very helpful to veterans across New York State, it is not easily accessible or promoted by the Division of Veterans' Services. This legislation would require the Division of Veterans' Services to direct veterans to the application on its website. Making this great resource more accessible will allow veterans to get the most out of the services and benefits they so rightly deserve.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the nineteenth day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.