What's happening
This bill expands the definition of "veteran" for county veterans' service agency directors to include those with a DD Form 214.
Why it matters
Broadens eligibility for key veterans’ services roles. By recognizing individuals with a DD Form 214 (the standard certificate of military discharge), the bill provides a more inclusive definition of "veteran," potentially allowing more qualified candidates—such as those who served during peacetime or were not previously covered under New York’s stricter definitions—to serve as county veterans’ service agency directors.
May improve representation and understanding for veterans seeking services. Directors who themselves have a DD Form 214 may better understand and advocate for the wide range of veterans’ experiences, including those not previously recognized under the old definition, leading to more comprehensive support and outreach.
Signals a shift toward federal standards. By directly referencing the DD Form 214, which is used nationally to verify military service, the bill aligns local policy with federal documentation, potentially reducing confusion and barriers for veterans moving between states or applying for different types of benefits.
Could impact hiring practices and diversity in veterans’ agencies. Counties will have a larger, potentially more diverse pool of candidates to choose from for these leadership roles, which might influence the quality and type of services offered to veterans at the county level.
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
Broaden Veteran Definition
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
- Recommitted to rules
- Ordered to third reading cal.772
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- 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.
Broaden Veteran Definition
In Senate Committee · Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5819
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 15, 2019
Introduced by Sen. METZGER -- 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 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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11304-01-9
S. 5819 2
territorial limits of the county, including any city therein which does 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the definition of "veteran"
Purpose or general idea of bill
To provide those veteran who have served during peacetime to be eligible for the position of a county veterans' service agency director.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Subdivisions 1 and 2 of Section 357 of the Executive Law, Subdivision 1 is amended to include within the definition "veteran" any individual who has received a DD Form 214.
Section 2: Effective Date - 30th Day.
Justification
County veterans service agencies play and important role in our communi- ties by helping those who have served in our nation's military and their family members access the resources available to them. The intent of this legislation is to allow a county supervisor to select a veteran who has served in either peace time or war time as the director of county veteran services.
CURRENT LAW
Under current law, county directors of veterans must have served during wartime.
Prior legislative history
New Legislation
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.