S 1250 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Enacts the "military experience recognized for institutional transfer (MERIT) act"

Summary

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.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action May 18, 2026

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What changed between versions

S1250A → S1250B · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill was renamed from the 'veterans' education through SUNY credits act' to the 'military experience recognized for institutional transfer (MERIT) act' to better reflect its focus on all military learning, not just veteran status. The scope was expanded to allow universities to grant academic credit for military training and experience toward major requirements and core curriculum, rather than just elective credit. The bill now requires institutions to use nationally recognized standards like the ACE Military Guide to evaluate this experience and mandates transparent processes, faculty training, and annual reporting to ensure consistent and rigorous application.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from awarding only elective credit to allowing credit toward major requirements, general education, and core curriculum. It also broadened the definition of eligible individuals to align with the Veterans' Services Law and introduced specific procedural requirements for universities.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'veteran' was updated to match the definition in subdivision three of section one of the Veterans' Services Law.

REQUIREMENT

Universities are now required to award credit for military learning toward degree requirements including majors and core curriculum, not just electives.

Institutions must develop a standardized framework using nationally recognized evaluation standards, such as the ACE Military Guide or CAEL standards.

New procedural requirements include transparent submission processes, faculty review procedures, written determinations with justifications for rejections, and faculty training on evaluation standards.

ENFORCEMENT

Universities must submit an annual report to the Board of Trustees summarizing credit determinations and awards.

TIMELINE

The effective date was changed from 'immediately' to 'the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law'.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 18, 2026

Committee

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO HIGHER EDUCATION

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 1250B

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

upper

Mar 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 1250A

upper

Mar 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

upper

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors