Renames the veterans' services law the veterans and military families law; renames the department of veterans' services the department of veterans and military families; requires the department of veterans and military families to provide certain services to military families.
Impact
One of the key impacts of A08967 is the emphasis on accountability and transparency in the administration of services and resources allocated to veterans and military families. The bill requires the department to submit an annual report detailing the utilization of funds directed towards these services, ensuring oversight on how resources are allocated and used. This is expected to enhance the responsiveness of the department to the needs of the community and improve service delivery to both veterans and their families.
Summary
Bill A08967 proposes a significant change in New York's approach to veteran affairs by renaming the existing 'Veterans' Services Law' to the 'Veterans and Military Families Law' and the 'Department of Veterans' Services' to the 'Department of Veterans and Military Families'. This change not only modernizes the nomenclature but also signifies a broader inclusion of military families within the scope of services provided by the state. The bill mandates the department to offer additional services specifically tailored to military families, highlighting the state's commitment to supporting not just veterans but their families as well.
Contention
While the overall intent of A08967 is widely regarded as positive among proponents who focus on enhanced support systems for veterans' families, there may be concerns about the implications of broadening the department's mandate. Critics could argue that expanding services and responsibilities might stretch existing resources thin. Additionally, there could be discussions around how effectively the bill will address the varying needs of these groups, especially in terms of adequate funding and program implementation. This may lead to debates on resource allocation within the broader state budget.
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.
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.
Requires the department of motor vehicles compile a list of veterans who apply for a veteran driver's license and provide such list to the department of veterans' services to aid in outreach efforts by the department of veterans' services.
Requires the department of motor vehicles compile a list of veterans who apply for a veteran driver's license and provide such list to the department of veterans' services to aid in outreach efforts by the department of veterans' services.
Requires the department of veterans' services to establish and maintain, in consultation and collaboration with other state agencies, a searchable database on the department's website providing resources available in the state for veterans, members of the uniformed services, and their families.
Requires the department of veterans' services to establish and maintain, in consultation and collaboration with other state agencies, a searchable database on the department's website providing resources available in the state for veterans, members of the uniformed services, and their families.
Requires the department of labor create and maintain a list of available careers and job openings for veterans in the state of New York and provide such list to the department of veterans' services; requires such list to be placed on the department of veterans' services website.
Requires the department of labor create and maintain a list of available careers and job openings for veterans in the state of New York and provide such list to the department of veterans' services; requires such list to be placed on the department of veterans' services website.
Includes the Space Force as being members of the armed forces or veterans eligible for certain credits and benefits that are available to other active and veteran members of the armed forces.
Includes the Space Force as being members of the armed forces or veterans eligible for certain credits and benefits that are available to other active and veteran members of the armed forces.
An Act Concerning Benefits For Certain Veterans Who Have Been Diagnosed With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Or Traumatic Brain Injury Or Who Have Had An Experience Of Military Sexual Trauma.