Attention: New Laws and Benefits for Veterans Taking Effect in New York
Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, signed a legislative package in honor of Veterans Day, which includes renaming bridges and roads in memory of fallen heroes and measures to improve access to veterans' benefits that will be available throughout the month of November. In addition, he issued an executive order to improve the quality of supportive housing services for veterans and military families in the state by establishing training requirements for state-funded providers of such housing.
These programs are part of dozens of state veterans' benefits and services administered by the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) and partner agencies, representing investments of more than $200 million in support of New York veterans and their families in the current fiscal year.
These actions, according to New York State Department of Veterans' Services Commissioner Viviana DeCohen, represent a significant milestone in the state's ongoing commitment to honor and support veterans and their families by expanding educational opportunities and improving access to essential benefits.
Here is a list of the new legislation and programs that will go into effect in New York
1- Executive Order 41 mandates that supportive housing providers in New York who receive state funding must receive annual training. This training, provided at no cost by the New York State Department of Veterans' Services, will focus on military cultural competency and access to benefits and services for veterans and their families. This will ensure that any veteran in a state-funded supportive housing program is served by individuals who understand their unique experiences and can connect them to the benefits and services they have earned through their military service.
2- In collaboration with the Legislature, legislation S.8596-A /A.9205-A will allow military veterans who have served at least four years and reside in the state to be eligible for the Veterans Tuition Award, regardless of whether they served in combat. This historic expansion of the award will open up new educational opportunities for more veterans in New York, making it easier for them to access sustainable and rewarding careers in their chosen professions after military service.
3- Legislation S.5195-B/A.4611-B eliminates the requirement to have served during wartime in order to receive certain benefits. New York recognizes that all veterans deserve the benefits and resources the state provides them for their military service. This legislation amends current law by eliminating the requirement of service in a defined wartime period to access important state veterans' benefits and services.
4- S.7544/A.7173 requires the designation of a veterans' liaison in each state executive agency. Numerous New York State agencies provide vital services for veterans, service members and military families. This legislation directs state agencies to designate a veterans liaison to provide information and assistance on benefits and services available within that agency, and coordinate directly with the New York State Department of Veterans' Services.
5- Legislation S.9258/A.9850 ensures that veterans who apply for and obtain a veteran's notation on their New York State driver's license or non-driver identification card receive information on services offered by the New York State Department of Veterans' Services, as well as the option to connect directly with the department for individualized care and advocacy.
6- Legislation S.2413-C/A.4613-C provides for an annual adjustment for reimbursement for certain veterans' funerals. This legislation will provide regular increases in New York State's reimbursement program to help cover funeral and burial costs for veterans who die indigent, ensuring that no veteran in New York State is left without their final honors.
6- Among the infrastructure renamings, legislation S.6469-A/A.4089-A designates a portion of the roadway on State Route 747 in Montgomery as the “Steve Nicoli Memorial Highway.” Steve Nicoli, an Army veteran, dedicated his life to public service and honoring American veterans. He founded the Hudson Valley Honor Flight, which has taken more than 2,000 veterans to their memorials in Washington, D.C.
7- Legislation S.5937-B/A.4924-B renames the bridge on State Route 79 across the Chenango River in Greene the “SP4 Herman Emil Anders, Jr. Memorial Bridge,” in honor of an Army veteran who showed bravery and devotion to duty during the Vietnam War.
8- Legislation S.6715-B/A.9578 designates the bridge on State Route 109 across the Southern State Parkway in Babylon as the “Lieutenant Commander Phillip Wayne Memorial Bridge Legislation S.4563-A/A.10523-A renames State Route 17M in Wallkill as the ‘Private First Class Richard Cleveland Dunn Memorial Road,’ in honor of a World War II veteran.
9- Legislation S.8338-A/A.7956-A designates a portion of the roadway on State Route 19 in Gainesville as the “Walter Shearing Technical Sergeant Walter Shearing Memorial Highway,” in memory of a veteran who served honorably during World War II.
Legislation S.9338/A.10312 renames the bridge on Washington Avenue that crosses Interstate 90 in Rensselaer as the “CW2 Casey N. Frankoski Memorial Bridge,” in honor of a New York Army National Guard helicopter pilot who died in a crash on the U.S.-Mexico border.
10- Legislation S.8939-A/A.9846-A designates a portion of the roadway on State Route 40 between Carvers Lane and Warren Lane in Schaghticoke as the “Assemblyman Pat M. Casale Memorial Highway,” in honor of an Army veteran and public servant.
11- legislation S.9764/A.6287-D renames a portion of I-278 (Brooklyn-Queens Expressway) from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to 6th Avenue in Brooklyn as the “Fort Hamilton Veterans”.Johnson Memorial Highway,” in recognition of his service in the Navy and his contribution to the community.
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