Veterans (Military Families)

passed · New York · Assembly Apr 1, 2026

K 1122: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026 as the Month of the Military Child in the State of New York

This bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially designate April 2026 as the Month of the Military Child in New York. It aims to honor the over 44,000 military children living in the state and their families who face unique challenges due to frequent moves and deployments. The resolution aligns with a national observance and marks Friday, April 10, 2026, as Purple Up Day, encouraging communities to wear purple to show support. While the bill does not create new laws or funding, it serves as a formal recognition of the contributions and sacrifices made by these families.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill designates April 2026 as Month of the Military Child, honoring families of service members and aligning with national observance to show support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Military Families

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in committee · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 10540: Establishes a women veteran's peer to peer program

This bill creates a new peer-to-peer support program specifically designed for women veterans. It directs state agencies, such as mental health and labor departments, to work together to develop and run this service. Additionally, the bill updates the duties of the veterans' services office to include establishing this program and advocating for policies that address the unique experiences of female veterans. The changes will take effect on the first day of April following the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a peer-to-peer support program for women veterans, explicitly enhancing mental health services and patient access.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a new peer-to-peer support program for women veterans and expands duties to advocate for their unique experiences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Military Families Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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passed · New York · Assembly May 26, 2026

K 1442: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 8, 2026, as Military Spouse Appreciation Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Military Spouse Appreciation Day

This bill directs the Governor of New York to officially recognize May 8, 2026, as Military Spouse Appreciation Day within the state. The measure aims to honor the contributions of military spouses by aligning the state observance with the national date, which falls on the Friday before Mother's Day. Upon adoption, a formal resolution will be sent to Governor Kathy Hochul to enact this proclamation. The bill affects military families by providing a designated day to acknowledge their support role, though it does not create new laws or funding.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill recognizes military spouses, directly supporting the veteran community and their families.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Military Families

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 10, 2026

J 1710: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026 as the Month of the Military Child in the State of New York

This bill directs the Governor of New York to officially recognize April 2026 as the Month of the Military Child in the state. It aims to honor the approximately 44,000 military children living in New York, including those on active duty installations and those in the National Guard and Reserve communities. The resolution aligns with the federal observance of the Month of the Military Child and Purple Up Day, which encourages communities to wear purple to show support for military families. This measure is a ceremonial proclamation that does not create new laws or funding but serves to acknowledge the contributions and challenges faced by military children and their families.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill honors military children, which are dependent on veterans and military families, aligning with support for military community recognition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 15, 2026

A 9571: Relates to increasing short-term disability benefits

This bill (A 9571) increases family leave benefits under New York's workers' compensation law, directly affecting eligible employees taking leave for medical care, bonding with a newborn, or military family exigencies. It gradually raises weekly benefit percentages (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over time, with specific phased-in dates starting in 2018. Covered employers must provide these enhanced benefits while maintaining health insurance coverage during leave. The changes apply to employees meeting eligibility criteria under the law, with the Superintendent of Financial Services retaining limited authority to delay increases.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases disability benefits for medical leave, expanding access to healthcare during treatment and recovery per bill's medical care focus.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases weekly disability benefits (50%→67% wage) and extends leave duration (8→12 weeks), directly expanding worker benefits under labor protections.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly covers 'military family exigencies' as a leave reason, directly supporting veterans' families through enhanced disability benefits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Paid Leave Workers' Compensation Military Families

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 28, 2026

S 8805: Relates to the veterans tuition awards program; repealer

This bill expands New York's veterans tuition awards program by allowing qualified veterans to transfer unused education benefits to eligible family members. It directly affects veterans who served at least 10 years (with exceptions for certain discharges) but didn't use their full tuition benefit, enabling them to transfer it to a spouse, child, or surviving financial dependent who lives in New York. Key provisions include requiring children receiving transfers to be under 26, capping annual transfers at 100, and establishing application rules for the transfer process. The bill repeals outdated language about "survivor" definitions and updates eligibility terms to clarify who qualifies for these transferred benefits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for veterans' families by transferring unused tuition benefits, directly increasing educational funding and opportunity.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands veterans' tuition benefits by enabling transfer of unused education awards to family members, directly strengthening program accessibility and benefits for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 8423: Establishes a credit for military spouses and surviving spouses of veterans for competitive examinations

Establishes a credit for military spouses and surviving spouses of veterans for competitive examinations whether for original appointment or promotion.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides credit for military/spouses in competitive exams, aiding veteran family employment. Directly benefits surviving spouses of veterans per bill text.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Employment

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failed · New York · Assembly Apr 21, 2026

A 6158: Relates to the award of competitive civil service status for the spouse or children of military service persons killed in the line of duty

This bill (A 6158) creates a new eligibility category for spouses or children of military personnel who died in combat during wartime to receive competitive civil service status in New York State or local government jobs. It requires applicants to provide documentary proof of the military member's death "in the line of duty" within two months of applying, before hiring lists are finalized. Those who prove eligibility gain priority in civil service examinations, but cannot later claim additional benefits under this provision if they already received a permanent appointment. The law takes immediate effect and directly affects qualifying military families seeking state or municipal employment opportunities.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill grants civil service priority to dependents of fallen military personnel, advancing veteran family benefits through employment support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3121: Relates to granting in-state tuition for community college for individuals who have received letters of acceptance to the military

This bill (S 3121) changes community college tuition rates for specific military-connected students. It grants in-state tuition rates to students who have received official letters of acceptance to join the military, regardless of their state residency. It also extends this benefit to spouses/dependents of active-duty military stationed in the state, those using GI Bill benefits, and spouses/dependents of military members not currently stationed in the state. The policy directly affects these student groups by requiring community colleges to charge them the lower resident tuition rate instead of out-of-state fees.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for military-connected students by granting in-state community college tuition, directly supporting higher education affordability and accessibility.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends in-state tuition to GI Bill users and military dependents, directly expanding veteran education benefits and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Military Families Veteran Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6708: Relates to the award of competitive civil service status for the spouse or children of military service persons killed in the line of duty

This bill (S 6708) creates a new civil service provision allowing spouses or children of military personnel killed in combat during wartime to receive priority in state or local government hiring. It requires applicants to provide documentary proof of eligibility within two months of applying, and those who fail to prove eligibility by the time an hiring list is established lose the status. The provision applies only to deaths occurring "in the performance of duty in time of war," not peacetime service, and prevents individuals who already received a permanent appointment through this status from receiving additional priority.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides hiring priority for spouses/children of wartime-deceased service members, advancing veteran family support through employment benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Employment

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