What's happening
This bill allows any honorably discharged U.S. military veteran to receive a high school diploma based on their service experience.
Why it matters
Expands eligibility. The bill removes previous restrictions (which limited eligibility to World War II veterans) and allows any honorably discharged U.S. military veteran—regardless of when or where they served—to receive a high school diploma.
Recognizes military experience as education. By allowing veterans to be awarded diplomas based on their service experience and knowledge, the bill formally acknowledges the educational value of military training and service.
May improve opportunities for veterans. Veterans who left high school early to serve, or who lacked a diploma, can gain a recognized educational credential, which may help with civilian employment, further education, or personal fulfillment.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Diplomas for Military Veterans
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-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.
Diplomas for All Veterans
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
454
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 awarding high school diplomas to veterans; and repealing certain provisions of such law relating thereto
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivisions 29-a and 29-b of section 305 of the education law are REPEALED, and subdivision 29, as added by chapter 40 of the laws of 2000, is amended to read as follows:
29. The commissioner shall develop a program whereby any veteran [of the armed forces who served in world war II and] who has served in the active military or naval service of the United States and who has been discharged from such service under honorable conditions, who was unable, for any reason, to complete a secondary education, may be awarded a high school diploma based on knowledge and experience gained while in service.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01486-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to awarding high school diplomas to veterans; and repealing certain provisions of such law relating thereto
Purpose
To allow any veteran who has served this nation to be awarded a high school degree based on their knowledge and experience gained while in service.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends the education law to allow for any veteran who has served this nation to be awarded a high school degree based on their knowledge and experience gained while in service. Current law allows for a Veteran of World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War to be eligi- ble for a high school degree, this section allows all Veterans to be eligible.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
Operation Recognition currently allows World War II, Korean, and Vietnam Veterans to receive their high school diploma. This legislation would expand this program to cover all veterans. These veterans who served in our military did so to protect our country and deserve the full support of this State. Operation Recognition has been very successful and well received, however it does not cover events that have occurred over the approximate last forty years. Veterans who served since Vietnam deserve the opportunity to receive their High School diploma if they so desire.
Prior legislative history
S.397 of 2017-2018 Passed Senate S.6292/A.9597 (2013-14); Passed Senate S. 3408 of 2015-2016 Passed Senate
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.