This bill exempts New York State residents who are veterans and at least 85 years old as of December 31 of the tax year from paying state income tax on their gross income, effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027. It directly affects qualifying veterans aged 85 or older who live in New York and meet the definition of "veteran" under New York's veterans' services law. The exemption applies regardless of whether the veteran's income is subject to federal income tax. The bill creates a new tax law provision (section 601(i)) that overrides other tax rules for this specific group.
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.
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.
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.
This bill, the "Veterans' Memorials Preservation Act," requires public entities like cities, towns, and school districts to preserve existing veterans' memorials - such as parks, monuments, plaques, or structures - without altering, moving, or destroying them, except when changes are "reasonably necessary." It mandates that these memorials remain publicly accessible and properly maintained by the groups that own or manage them. The law directly affects local and state government bodies responsible for veterans' memorials across the state. It takes effect immediately upon passage.
Authorizes a veteran's close friend or family who is reasonably familiar with such veteran's wishes to request that such veteran be buried in a state veterans' cemetery.
S 3452 allows criminal cases involving eligible veterans to be transferred to a veterans treatment court within the same county or an adjacent county, expanding access for veterans facing charges in areas without such courts. The transfer requires the veteran's request, court approval, and the district attorney's consent, following a model used in drug courts. This change would immediately more than double the number of counties where veterans can access specialized treatment programs addressing underlying issues like mental health or substance abuse. The bill applies to pending felony cases in local criminal courts and aims to broaden New York's existing network of 20 veterans treatment courts.
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.
This bill would allow local governments (counties, cities, towns, villages, or school districts) to create a property tax exemption for the primary residence of veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. To qualify, veterans must have an honorable discharge, a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and be permanently and totally disabled due to military service. The exemption covers all real property taxes, special district charges, and assessments on their primary home. This policy change directly affects veterans meeting these specific criteria, providing them with tax relief on their main residence starting with 2026 assessment rolls.
Relates to veterans' eligibility for public housing; expands eligibility requirements to include veterans of the recent conflicts; requires granting of a preference for public housing to veterans or families of veterans who have a military service connected disability.
