What's happening
This bill allows New York-licensed health care providers, not just VA providers, to diagnose veterans’ qualifying conditions for benefits.
Why it matters
Broadens Access to Diagnosis. By allowing any New York-licensed health care provider (not just VA providers) to diagnose qualifying conditions, veterans can access diagnosis and documentation for benefits through their regular doctors or local providers, not just at VA facilities, which can be hard to reach or have long wait times.
Reduces Barriers for Veterans. Veterans who may have difficulty accessing or trusting the VA system—due to geographic, cultural, or personal reasons—can now seek help from providers they already know, making it more likely they’ll pursue and receive needed benefits.
Speeds Up Benefits Process. With more providers eligible to diagnose conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma, veterans may be able to complete paperwork and qualify for state benefits more quickly, improving their access to support and care.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Broaden Veteran Health Definitions
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- 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.
Widen Veteran Condition Criteria
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Didi Barrett
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7339
IN SENATE
January 21, 2020
Introduced by Sen. HOYLMAN -- 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 defining certain qualifying conditions for veterans
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 8 of section 350 of the executive law, as added by chapter 490 of the laws of 2019, is amended to read as follows:
8. The term "qualifying condition" means a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury made by, or an experience of military sexual trauma, as described in 38 USC 1720D, as amended from time to time, disclosed to, an individual licensed to provide health care services at a United States Department of Veterans Affairs facility or an individual licensed to provide health care services within the state of New York. The division shall develop a standardized form used to confirm that the veteran has a qualifying condition under this subdivision.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as section 1 of chapter 490 of the laws of 2019, takes effect.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14542-01-9
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 defining certain qual- ifying conditions for veterans
Purpose or general idea of bill
To allow certain veterans to qualify for state benefits if they have received a diagnosis of PTSD or traumatic brain injury, or a disclosure of military sexual trauma, from any person licensed to provide health care services in New York State.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends subdivision 8 of Sec. 350 of the Executive Law to allow any licensed health care provider to issue a diagnosis or disclo- sure of PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma for the purpose of qualifying certain veterans for state veterans' benefits.
Section two sets forth the effective date.
Justification
Under Chapter 490 of 2019, NYS veterans' with an "other than honorable' discharge are eligible for NYS veterans' benefits. However, they often remain ineligible for federal VA health care services. This legislation allows veterans to receive mental health diagnoses from outside the VA in order to qualify for state benefits. This ensures that federal poli- cy will not prevent these veterans from receiving NYS benefits and services.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Some costs associated with providing more veterans' with the benefits and services they have earned.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as section 1 of chapter 490 of the laws of 2019, takes effect.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.