Veterans (Veteran Education)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5962: Relates to certain veterans and competitive civil service exam points

Relates to certain veterans; entitles them to 10 additional competitive civil service exam points if they are disabled; entitles them to 5 additional competitive civil service exam points if they are non-disabled and if they received certain medals or ribbons.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides additional civil service exam points for veterans, directly supporting employment opportunities and recognizing service through expanded benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4668: Awards high school diplomas to veterans; repealer

This bill creates a program allowing veterans who served honorably in the U.S. military but couldn't complete high school to earn a diploma based on their service experience. It removes outdated requirements (like limiting eligibility to World War II veterans) and directs the education commissioner to develop the program. The law takes effect immediately, enabling eligible veterans to receive diplomas without needing to complete traditional coursework. This directly affects veterans who left school early for military service, offering a formal recognition of their skills gained during service.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for veterans by creating diploma pathway without traditional coursework, directly aligning with 'expands educational access' support indicator.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates diploma program for veterans who left school for military service, expanding educational benefits without traditional requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Employment

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3128: Relates to establishing the private employers veterans' preference policy act

This bill allows private employers (like corporations or nonprofits with employees) to voluntarily create written policies giving hiring, promotion, or retention preference to veterans over equally qualified candidates. It defines "veteran" as someone with qualifying military service (e.g., 180+ days active duty with honorable discharge) and requires any preference policy to be applied uniformly. The policy must be in writing and does not apply to government entities like state agencies or school districts. Private employers can adopt this policy without legal obligation, but must follow it consistently for all employment decisions affecting veterans.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill enables private employers to voluntarily offer hiring/promotion preference to veterans, directly supporting veteran employment initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

Track

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

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 129: Relates to exemptions available to veterans

Relates to exemptions available to veterans; requires school districts to provide the veterans alternative exemption; establishes that costs associated with such exemption shall be borne by the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state funding for veterans' school exemption costs, increasing state budget expenditure to cover district costs.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates school districts provide veterans alternative exemptions with state-funded costs, expanding veteran benefits and ensuring state financial responsibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

Track

in committee · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 4013: Relates to establishing a peer support program for veterans

S 4013 creates a state-funded peer support program for veterans, specifically targeting women veterans through regional or county-based services. It establishes credentialing requirements for veteran peer counselors (veterans with relevant training) and mandates state agencies to develop programs offering mental health support, substance abuse counseling, family services, and legal assistance. The bill requires the mental hygiene commissioner, addiction services agency, and veterans' services department to create training pathways and certification standards for peer counselors. This policy directly affects veterans seeking mental health and substance use support by connecting them with certified peers who share military service experience.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly establishes state-funded peer support program requiring budget allocation for veteran services, aligning with funding public services under Budget & Taxes topic.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates state-funded mental health support services for veterans through peer programs, directly advancing healthcare access and mental health services as specified in indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates state-funded peer support program for veterans with mental health, substance abuse, and legal services, mandating agency implementation for veteran care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Substance Abuse Veteran Education Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6973: Requires employers to offer paid leave of absence to veterans on Veterans' day

Requires employers to offer paid leave of absence to veterans on Veterans' day, except for emergency or critical employees, who shall be offered another day of paid leave.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates paid leave for veterans, expanding worker benefits under employment standards as per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires paid leave for veterans on Veterans' Day, directly recognizing service and supporting veteran employment rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Employment

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2530: Requires the notification to veterans of the availability of veterans' services free of charge by federal, state, and local veteran agencies

Requires the notification to veterans of the availability of veterans' services free of charge by federal, state, and local veteran agencies; requires certain disclosures to be provided when notifying veterans about available services; provides for civil penalties for any violations.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates notification of free veteran services, improving access to existing benefits without restriction or defunding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3225: Relates to expanding opportunities for veteran-owned business enterprises

This bill establishes a certification program for veteran-owned businesses (requiring at least 51% veteran ownership, New York operations, and meeting size standards) and creates a "Division of Veterans' Business Development" within the Office of General Services. The division will maintain a public directory of certified businesses by service type and assist state agencies in using these businesses for contracts exceeding $25,000. It directly affects veteran entrepreneurs seeking state contracts and all state agencies issuing qualifying contracts. The law requires agencies to consider certified veteran-owned businesses when awarding eligible contracts.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes certification for veteran-owned businesses, mandates state agencies to prioritize them for contracts >$25k, directly supporting veteran entrepreneurship and economic opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4965: Waives the state application fee for all civil service examinations for all veterans

This bill (S 4965) requires the New York State civil service department to waive all application fees for veterans taking civil service examinations for government jobs. It directly affects all veterans applying for state or municipal civil service positions, including those who served in the U.S. armed forces, National Guard, or New York Guard. The key provision mandates that the state must eliminate these fees for veterans, as defined by law (including honorably discharged service members and certain LGBT veterans), regardless of their current employment status. This policy change removes a financial barrier for veterans seeking government employment through civil service exams.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill waives civil service application fees for veterans, directly supporting employment access and reducing financial barriers for state job applications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

Track