A 55 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Includes veterans in the definition of military status for purposes of unlawful discrimination

This bill amends New York's executive law to explicitly include veterans in the legal definition of "military status." It expands the existing definition to cover individuals who have been released from military service, ensuring veterans receive the same anti-discrimination protections as active military personnel. The change directly affects veterans in New York who may face discrimination in employment, housing, or other areas governed by laws prohibiting military status discrimination. The key mechanism is a textual update to the definition, adding "a person's participation in the military service... if such person has been released from such service." This creates a clear, concrete policy change without altering existing enforcement mechanisms.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

A55 A55A · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill amends New York's anti-discrimination laws to formally include veterans under the definition of 'military status' in housing protections. The change broadens legal protections by integrating veterans into existing military status categories rather than creating a separate veteran-specific provision, ensuring consistent application of housing discrimination laws.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of protected categories under New York's human rights law by incorporating veterans into the existing 'military status' definition rather than maintaining a separate veteran classification.
DEFINITION

Replaced a standalone 'veteran' classification with an expanded 'military status' definition that now explicitly includes veterans who served in the armed forces, national guard, or related services and were released from such service.

SCOPE

Changed the bill's focus from adding a new subdivision specifically for veterans to amending an existing military status provision, aligning veteran protections with other military-related protections.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill numbering and committee status to reflect that the bill was amended, discharged from committee, and reprinted in its amended form.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Amendments
2
Jan 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 55A
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
lower
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
lower
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors