Veterans

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 3223: Allows veterans to fish for free in state parks

This bill (A 3223) would allow eligible veterans to fish for free in all state parks managed by state agencies. It specifically covers veterans who served on active duty with an honorable discharge, including those with qualifying conditions or specific LGBT veteran status as defined in existing law. The state office responsible for parks would need to create rules to implement this free access, with the policy taking effect 90 days after enactment. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides free fishing access in state parks to eligible veterans, expanding a benefit for recognized veterans per their service status.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 6559: Establishes a veterans' bill of rights

Establishes a veterans' bill of rights; provides sample language for such bill of rights; requires the department of veterans' services to establish and distribute a veterans' bill of rights and to make such bill of rights available on the department's website.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates establishment of veterans' bill of rights, providing formal recognition and protection of veterans' rights through departmental distribution and website availability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 8968: Relates to establishing a veteran suicide mortality review board

Establishes a 13 member veteran suicide mortality review board to serve as the statewide entity responsible for the multidisciplinary review of suicide deaths among veterans by identifying trends and systemic factors contributing to veteran suicide; assessing gaps in services, access to care, and institutional practices; developing evidence-based recommendations for prevention and policy improvement; and promoting collaboration among relevant state, local, and federal agencies.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a review board to identify suicide trends, gaps in services, and develop prevention recommendations for veterans, directly strengthening veteran healthcare and suicide prevention efforts.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 6037: 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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a mental health peer support program for veterans, directly advancing mental health services through specialized counseling and certification procedures.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes veteran peer support program for mental health/substance abuse, directing development of counselor qualifications and training procedures to advance healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · New York · Assembly May 29, 2026

A 11313: Relates to the offices and departments that the department of health shall consult with for the traumatic brain injury program

Requires the department of health to consult with the office of addiction services and supports, the office for the prevention of domestic violence, and the department of veterans' services for purposes of administering the traumatic brain injury program and state policies with respect to traumatic brain injuries; adds the commissioner or executive director of such offices or departments to the traumatic brain injury services coordinating council.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates consultation with the Department of Veterans' Services to improve TBI program administration, directly strengthening veteran healthcare coordination.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · New York · Assembly May 29, 2026

A 10142: Relates to veterans health care

Relates to veterans' health care; creates a veteran health care review to ensure veterans and their families have access to health and mental health treatment, including for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, military sexual trauma, reproductive and mental health conditions, and suicide prevention.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates veteran health care review to ensure access to mental health treatment, PTSD care, and suicide prevention, advancing healthcare access for veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates veteran health care review to ensure access to mental/health treatments including PTSD, suicide prevention, and military sexual trauma, directly expanding services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 9351: Relates to the issuance of license plates for disabled veterans

This bill adds a new eligibility category for special disabled veteran license plates in New York. It directly affects veterans rated 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), allowing them to qualify for these plates under existing rules. The key change is adding paragraph (e) to the vehicle law, which explicitly includes VA-rated 100% disabled veterans alongside other qualifying conditions like certified physical impairments or blindness. This expands access to the program without altering current requirements for other disability categories.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands access to disabled veteran license plates by adding VA 100% disabled veterans to eligibility, directly enhancing a benefit recognition program.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 7627: Relates to the availability of information on home care services

Authorizes the Department of Veterans' Services to consult and collaborate with relevant offices in the federal department of veterans affairs, the department of health, the state office for the aging and other HCBS experts to develop educational materials for veterans and their families about the accessibility to home and community-based services.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAuthorizes collaboration to develop educational materials improving veterans' access to home care services and community-based care options.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 6001: Relates to the issuance of pool and health memberships to disabled veterans at certain SUNY and CUNY campuses

Requires that the state university of New York's board of trustees and the city university of New York's board of trustees shall each adopt a policy requiring all state university of New York, city university of New York, college, and community college campuses that offer membership programs to the general public for the use of fitness and aquatic facilities, to permit disabled veterans to obtain a membership for the use of fitness and aquatic facilities upon the same terms and conditions as apply to the general public, but without payment of any fees or other charges, or at a discounted rate; defines "disabled veteran".

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates SUNY/CUNY campuses to provide disabled veterans equal access to fitness/aquatic facilities, expanding benefits and services for veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 14, 2026

A 10418: Expands the veterans' services commission

This bill expands the New York Veterans' Services Commission by adding two additional voting members and several non-voting ex officio members to improve oversight of veteran services. The legislation requires the governor to appoint fifteen total members, including veterans and individuals with expertise in areas like healthcare, education, and veterans' benefits, while also including state agency heads as non-voting members. Key provisions mandate quarterly meetings, require the commission to study issues affecting veterans and their families, and establish a public website to display member information and meeting minutes. The bill also clarifies appointment processes, term lengths, and the commission's duty to submit annual reports to the governor and legislature.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands Veterans' Services Commission with additional members to improve oversight and services for veterans, directly strengthening veteran support infrastructure.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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