This bill designates September 22 as "Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day" in New York State. It adds this date to the state's official list of commemorative days under Section 168-a of the executive law, joining other recognized observances. The bill does not create new programs, funding, or requirements - it solely establishes a designated day for remembrance.
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".
Establishes the congressional chartered veterans service organizations fund; provides for gifts made to such fund on an individual's personal income tax return.
Directs the veterans service commission to submit a report regarding coordinated services for veterans with service-connected disabilities to the commissioner of veterans' services by April 1, 2029.
Relates to defining veteran; includes national guard members who have served for at least twenty years, part of which was during any war or period of hostilities.
Expands eligibility for admission to New York state veterans' homes to certain veterans who have an immediate family member who shall have been a resident of this state for six months prior to the date of application for admission; defines an immediate family member to include a spouse, or a birth or adoptive parent, child, sibling, stepparent, stepchild, stepsibling, grandparent and grandchild; requires, where applicable, the immediate family member of a veteran applicant to file an affidavit of New York state residence; authorizes veterans with an immediate family member who has been a New York state resident for six months to be entitle to admission to the Long Island state veterans home at Stony Brook university.
Enacts the "military experience recognized for institutional transfer (MERIT) act"; grants academic credit for veterans with regard to SUNY and CUNY college credits for military learning, training, coursework and occupational experience.
This bill expands the Veterans' Services Commission by increasing the number of appointed members from thirteen to fifteen and adding several new ex officio members. The changes allow for additional representation from veterans' service organizations, local agency directors, family members of veterans, and individuals with expertise in areas like healthcare, education, and legal issues specific to veterans. The commission will continue to coordinate state agency operations related to veterans' services, study issues affecting veterans and their families, and submit annual reports to the governor and legislature. One of the existing members, including the adjutant general, will be designated as chairperson, and the commission is required to meet at least quarterly. The bill also mandates that the state department maintain a public webpage listing all commission members, their appointment details, and meeting minutes.
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.
This bill ceremonially dedicates a specific segment of State Route 42 in Fallsburg, Sullivan County (from Railroad Plaza to 5286-5288 Main Street) to honor Lieutenant Roland "The Gator" Ward. It requires installing commemorative signage but explicitly states the highway's official name will not change. The dedication is purely symbolic, with no alteration to the road's legal designation or impact on transportation operations.
