Provides for a preference for activated members of the New York army national guard or the New York air national guard serving during declared state disaster emergencies for competitive examinations for original appointment or promotion.
Impact
By implementing this preference, S08365 aims to enhance the employment opportunities for activated National Guard members within the state civil service system. Members who are activated for a cumulative period of sixty days or more will be entitled to additional credit points, which could significantly affect their ranking in competitive exams. This change is expected to improve the successful employment rate for veterans and active military personnel transitioning into civilian careers, thereby reinforcing the state's commitment to support those who have served.
Summary
S08365 is a bill introduced in the New York Senate that amends the civil service law to provide preference for activated members of the New York Army National Guard and the New York Air National Guard during declared state disaster emergencies. The bill seeks to modify existing statutes to ensure that these members receive additional credit when applying for competitive examinations for original appointment or promotion. The objective is to create an advantage for individuals who have served their state in times of emergency, thus recognizing their contributions to public safety and welfare.
Contention
While the bill enjoys support as a means of providing necessary recognition and assistance to activated service members, there may be concerns regarding its implications for equitable hiring practices. Critics could argue that offering preferential treatment based on military service during emergencies might disadvantage other candidates in the competitive exam process. However, the bill does stipulate that additional credit is awarded only if the candidate meets all other eligibility requirements and qualifies in the examination.
Implementation
Should S08365 become law, it will take effect immediately and will apply to all state disaster emergencies declared on or after January 1, 2025. This timeline allows for necessary adjustments in the civil service examination processes and ensures that the state is prepared to support its military members effectively.
Provides for reimbursement for certain insurance premiums for certain members of the naval militia, New York air, army national guard, and New York guard.
Ensures that certain members of the New York Air National Guard, New York Army National Guard, New York Naval Militia, and New York Guard who participated in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations are honored for their service and afforded veteran status under New York state law.
Establishes a tax credit for companies that employ New York national guard and reserve members in an amount equal to fifteen hundred dollars for each national guard or reserve member employed by such employer and twenty-five hundred dollars for each national guard or reserve member employed by such employer who has completed or returned from a deployment or activation.
Relates to security and protection of New York national guard and air national guard recruiting centers; provides that personnel be permitted to carry a firearm.
Provides that every person who has served in more than one time of war shall be entitled to additional credit as a veteran or disabled veteran in competitive examinations for original appointment or promotion for every such time of war during which such person served, regardless of whether any such person has utilized such credit for a competitive examination for original appointment or a competitive examination for promotion.
Directs the division of military and naval affairs to establish policies relating to security and protection of New York national guard and air national guard recruiting centers.