A 6037 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to establishing a peer support program for veterans

Bill A 6037 establishes a peer support program specifically for veterans dealing with mental illness, alcohol abuse, or substance dependence. The bill defines "veteran peer support services" as counseling provided by a veteran peer counselor to other veterans. It directs the Commissioner of Mental Hygiene, in consultation with other agencies, to develop recommended minimum qualifications for these veteran peer counselors and to create procedures for connecting them with training. This program aims to support veterans by leveraging the unique understanding and experiences of fellow veterans in recovery and support roles.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2026

Assembly Passage

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 26, 2025 Last action Jun 1, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

A6037 → A6037A · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to broaden the definition of 'veteran' to include individuals with specific qualifying conditions and discharged LGBT veterans. The amendment also shifts the approach to credentialing from a mandatory certification process to a system of recommended minimum qualifications, removing barriers for those without formal training.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a wider range of individuals under the definition of 'veteran' and altered the program's structure from mandatory certification to voluntary recommended qualifications.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'veteran' was updated to include persons with qualifying conditions under the veterans' services law and discharged LGBT veterans, in addition to standard active duty service members.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for a formal certification process was replaced with a system of 'recommended minimum qualifications' that the commissioner must make publicly available.

ELIGIBILITY

New language was added to clarify that serving as a peer counselor does not require professional credentials, licensing, or specific training as a precondition.

Floor votes · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

How they voted

138–0

Passed · 11 other

Total votes 149

Jun 1, 2026

D Democratic102

93 Yea 9

91% Yea

R Republican47

45 Yea 2

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 1, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO RULES

upper

Jun 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

PASSED ASSEMBLY

lower

Jun 1, 2026

Committee

REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES

lower

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

lower

May 19, 2025

Committee

REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

lower

May 16, 2025

Lower · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 6037A

lower

May 16, 2025

Lower · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO VETERANS' AFFAIRS

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO VETERANS' AFFAIRS

lower

1 primary · 11 co-sponsors