What's happening
This bill requires local veterans' service agencies to assist veterans with submitting applications for discharge upgrades through the discharge upgrade advisory board.
Why it matters
Expands the responsibilities of local veterans' service agencies. By requiring these agencies to help veterans apply for discharge upgrades, the bill ensures that veterans have more direct, local support navigating a complex and often confusing process.
Potentially increases access to benefits for veterans. Discharge upgrades can make veterans eligible for federal and state benefits (like health care, education, and housing) that were previously denied due to the nature of their discharge, potentially improving their quality of life.
Recognizes the importance of local assistance. Veterans may be unaware of their rights or the possibility of discharge upgrades. Mandating local agency involvement leverages trusted, community-based resources to reach more veterans and provide hands-on help.
Could reduce disparities in access to discharge upgrades. Some veterans, especially those in rural or underserved areas, may face barriers to applying for discharge upgrades. This legislation could help level the playing field by standardizing support across all localities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Veterans Services Powers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A8096
- Ordered to third reading cal.1733
- Referred to rules
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.
Expand Veterans Service Agency Duties
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Stacey Pheffer Amato
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6527
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 14, 2019
Introduced by Sen. MAY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to the powers and duties of local veterans' service agencies
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 358 of the executive law, as amended by chapter 106 of the laws of 2003, is amended to read as follows:
1. A local veterans' service agency shall have power under the direction of the state veterans' service agency, and it shall be its duty to inform military and naval authorities of the United States and assist members of the armed forces and veterans, who are residents of this state, and their families, in relation to (1) matters pertaining to educational training and retraining services and facilities, (2) health, medical and rehabilitation services and facilities, (3) provisions of federal, state and local laws and regulations affording special rights and privileges to members of the armed forces and war veterans and their families, (4) employment and re-employment services, [and] (5) the process of submitting an application for a discharge upgrade to the discharge upgrade advisory board, and (6) other matters of similar, related or appropriate nature. The local veterans' service agency may also assist families of members of the reserve components of the armed forces and the organized militia ordered into active duty to ensure that they are made aware of and are receiving all appropriate support available to them and are placed in contact with the agencies responsible for such support, including, but not limited to, the division of military and naval affairs and other state agencies responsible for providing such support. The local veterans' service agency also shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the state director.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13162-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the powers and duties of local veterans' service agencies
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to require the local veterans' service agen- cies to assist veterans in the process of submitting an application for a discharge upgrade to the Discharge Upgrade Advisory Board at the New York State Division of Veterans' Service.
Summary of provisions
The bill amends subdivision 1 of Section 358 of the executive law to include in the duties of the local veterans' service agencies the duty to assist veterans in the process of submitting an application for a discharge upgrade to the Division of Veterans' Services Discharge Upgrade Advisory Board.
Justification
Local Veterans Service Agencies provide valuable assistance to members of the veterans community located within their jurisdiction. This bill will help the veteran who is in the process of upgrading his or her military discharge by having the staff of the Local Veterans Service Agencies help the veteran to submit the completed application for a discharge upgrade to the Division of Veterans' Services Discharge Upgrade Advisory Board for their review.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:,:
New bill
Fiscal implications
None noted
Effective date
60 days after enactment
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.