S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
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                                  10145

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                              June 17, 2014
                               ___________

Introduced  by  COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Benedetto,
  Lupardo, Russell, Barrett, DenDekker, Lavine, Ryan, Skoufis)  --  read
  once and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

AN  ACT  to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the New
  York state veterans assistance program and the New York state veterans
  village pilot program

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Legislative findings. New York state is home to more than
900,000 veterans, seventy-two percent of whom have served during periods
of conflict.   The state is home to  approximately  30,000  active  duty
military personnel and another 30,000 National Guard and reserve person-
nel.
  The  legislature  finds  that  transitioning  from  active military to
civilian life has proven difficult for many veterans. Studies have indi-
cated that two-thirds of transitioning veterans experience  a  difficult
transition  from  military  to  civilian life with nearly half not fully
ready to make the transition at the time of deactivation.  Of  the  two-
thirds  of  veterans not ready to transition, many indicated they needed
more time to determine what to do next or  simply  decompress  from  the
stress  inherent  in  active  duty military service.   While the federal
government has recognized the difficulty of  transitioning  to  civilian
life  and developed the Transition Assistance Program with the intent to
help veterans make this transition, less than half of veterans  say  the
program  helped  them reintegrate to civilian life.  Furthermore, recent
veterans returning home are less likely to have family  that  served  in
the  military,  meaning fewer networks between the military and civilian
world exist for veterans to connect within the transition process.
  The legislature finds homelessness, depression, mental health disease,
and drug abuse are problems encountered  by  veterans  more  often  than
their  civilian,  non-military  counterparts and, the anxiety and uncer-
tainty of transitioning to the civilian world is frequently  exacerbated
by,  or a direct result of, unhealed mental and physical wounds borne on
the battlefield. In honor of the service, commitment, and  sacrifice  on

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                           LBD15539-03-4

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behalf  of  our Nation, the legislature declares it is the public policy
of New York state to promote and  encourage  the  successful  transition
from  military  to  civilian  life for our returning veterans. The state
aims to assist veterans in post service, reintegration into local commu-
nities  and  workforces, and provision of basic necessities and services
crucial to civilian transition.
  S 2. The executive law is amended by adding a  new  section  368-a  to
read as follows:
  S  368-A.  NEW YORK STATE VETERANS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 1. FOR PURPOSES
OF THIS SECTION THE TERM "VETERAN" MEANS A PERSON, MALE OR FEMALE, RESI-
DENT OF THIS STATE, WHO HAS SERVED IN THE ACTIVE MILITARY, NAVAL SERVICE
OR AIR SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES DURING A WAR  IN  WHICH  THE  UNITED
STATES  ENGAGED,  OR  WAS  A RECIPIENT OF THE ARMED EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL,
MARINE CORPS EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL, OR GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITION-
ARY MEDAL, AND WHO HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM SUCH SERVICE WITH AN HONORABLE
OR GENERAL DISCHARGE.
  2. THE STATE DIRECTOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE  ADJUTANT  GENERAL  OF
THE  DIVISION  OF  MILITARY  AND  NAVAL AFFAIRS, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, THE COMMISSIONER  OF
MENTAL HEALTH, THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH, AND THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE
OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, OR ANY OTHER ENTITY THAT THE
STATE DIRECTOR DEEMS NECESSARY SHALL ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A PROGRAM TO
ASSIST  VETERANS  IN  THEIR  TRANSITION  OUT  OF  MILITARY SERVICE. SUCH
PROGRAM SHALL BE KNOWN  AS  "THE  NEW  YORK  STATE  VETERANS  ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM".  SUCH  PROGRAM  SHALL  PROVIDE  COORDINATED  MENTAL HEALTH AND
SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING, EMPLOYMENT AND JOB TRAINING, HOUSING ASSIST-
ANCE, AND ANY OTHER RELATED INFORMATION OR SERVICES  TO  VETERANS.  SUCH
PROGRAM  SHALL  BE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE. WHERE PRACTICAL, SUCH
PROGRAM SHALL OFFER ALL ITS SERVICES IN A CERTAIN AREA IN ONE FACILITY.
  3. THE NEW YORK STATE VETERANS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SHALL  BE  AVAILABLE
TO  VETERANS, WHO HAVE RECEIVED AN HONORABLE OR GENERAL DISCHARGE, DOCU-
MENTED BY A COPY OF THE VETERAN'S CERTIFICATE OF  RELEASE  OR  DISCHARGE
FROM  ACTIVE  DUTY  ALSO  KNOWN AS A DD-214 FORM OR AN HONORABLE SERVICE
CERTIFICATE/REPORT OF CASUALTY FROM THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DEFENSE.    THE
PROGRAM  SHALL  BE  AVAILABLE  FROM  THE  DATE ON WHICH SUCH VETERAN WAS
DISCHARGED FROM THE ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE.
  4. IN ESTABLISHING AND CARRYING OUT THE  VETERANS  ASSISTANCE  PROGRAM
PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, THE STATE DIRECTOR SHALL:
  (I)  PROVIDE  INFORMATION CONCERNING FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL ASSIST-
ANCE PROGRAMS, PROGRAMS OF MILITARY AND VETERANS' SERVICE  ORGANIZATIONS
OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, THAT MAY BE OF ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS;
  (II) PROVIDE, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR, INFORMA-
TION  ABOUT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, INSTRUCTION IN RESUME PREPARATION,
JOB ANALYSIS, SEARCH, AND INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES, ANALYSIS OF THE  CURRENT
LABOR  MARKET,  THE  COST  OF LIVING IN SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREAS OF THE
STATE INCLUDING, TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, THE COST AND AVAILABILITY OF
HOUSING, CHILD CARE AND EDUCATION. THE STATE DIRECTOR  SHALL  ALSO  WORK
WITH  MILITARY  AND  VETERANS'  SERVICE  ORGANIZATIONS,  LOCAL  VETERANS
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER APPROPRIATE ORGANIZATIONS IN  PROMOTING
AND PUBLICIZING JOB FAIRS AND CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS;
  (III)  PROVIDE ANALYSIS OR VERIFICATION, TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, OF
JOB SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE ACQUIRED WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY FOR USE IN SEEK-
ING CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT AND IN OBTAINING JOB SEARCH SKILLS;
  (IV) EVALUATE THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS TO WHICH THE  MEMBER
IS  ENTITLED UNDER THE FEDERAL MONTGOMERY GI BILL, POST 911 GI BILL, AND
OTHER EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS;

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  (V) PROVIDE FINANCIAL LITERACY AND PLANNING RESOURCES INCLUDING INFOR-
MATION ON BUDGETING, SAVING, CREDIT, LOANS, AND TAXES, INCLUDING ASSIST-
ANCE TO SUCH MEMBERS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO OBTAIN LOANS  AND  GRANTS  FROM
THE  SMALL  BUSINESS  ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL
AGENCIES;
  (VI)  PROVIDE  RESOURCES ON SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, DISABILITY-RE-
LATED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF
STATE CONTRACTS INCLUDING CONTRACTS SET ASIDE PURSUANT TO  ARTICLE  17-B
OF THIS CHAPTER;
  (VII)   INFORMATION  CONCERNING  THE  AVAILABILITY  OF  MENTAL  HEALTH
SERVICES AND THE TREATMENT OF POST-TRAUMATIC  STRESS  DISORDER,  ANXIETY
DISORDERS,  DEPRESSION,  SUICIDAL  IDEATIONS, MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA, OR
OTHER MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED  WITH  SERVICE  IN  THE  ARMED
FORCES;
  (VIII) PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN PREPARING APPLICATIONS FOR VARIOUS FEDER-
AL,  STATE,  AND LOCAL VETERANS' BENEFITS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
FEDERAL VA MEDICAL SERVICES; AND
  (IX) PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO EFFECTUATE THE PROVISIONS  OF
THIS SECTION.
  S  3.  The  executive  law is amended by adding a new section 368-b to
read as follows:
  S 368-B. NEW YORK STATE VETERANS VILLAGE PILOT PROGRAM. 1.   BEGINNING
JUNE  THIRTIETH, TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN THE STATE DIRECTOR SHALL ESTABLISH
A NEW YORK STATE VETERANS VILLAGE PILOT PROGRAM.  SUCH PROGRAM,  SUBJECT
TO  THE  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS  OF  THE STATE DIRECTOR, SHALL IDENTIFY
VETERANS THAT ARE HOMELESS OR MAY SOON BE HOMELESS AND  PROVIDE  HOUSING
IN  A  DORMITORY TYPE HOUSING UNTIL PERMANENT HOUSING CAN BE PROVIDED TO
SUCH VETERAN. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL ALSO PROVIDE, IN  SUCH  DORMITORY  TYPE
HOUSING,  MENTAL  HEALTH  AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING, EMPLOYMENT AND
JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS, FINANCIAL LITERACY, ASSISTANCE PROVIDED  PURSUANT
TO  SECTION  THREE  HUNDRED  SIXTY-EIGHT-A OF THIS ARTICLE, OR ANY OTHER
ASSISTANCE THE VETERAN MAY  NEED.  SUCH  PROGRAM  SHALL  COORDINATE  ANY
ASSISTANCE THAT SUCH VETERAN RECEIVES.
  2. THE STATE DIRECTOR SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO EFFEC-
TUATE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
  3. BY DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND SEVENTEEN AND ANNUALLY THER-
EAFTER,  THE  STATE  DIRECTOR SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE
SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, AND THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE WHICH
SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF
THE PROGRAM AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS AS NECESSARY.
  4. THE STATE DIRECTOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF  HOMES
AND  COMMUNITY  RENEWAL,  AND  THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE OF GENERAL
SERVICES, AND ANY OTHER AGENCY THE STATE DIRECTOR DEEMS NECESSARY, SHALL
CONDUCT A STATEWIDE STUDY TO DETERMINE IF THERE ARE EXISTING FACILITIES,
OWNED BY OR AVAILABLE TO THE STATE, THAT CAN BE USED TO  HOUSE  VETERANS
IN  NEED OF HOUSING. SUCH REPORT SHALL BE DELIVERED TO THE GOVERNOR, THE
SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, AND THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF  THE  SENATE  BY
DECEMBER  THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN.  SUCH STUDY SHALL INCLUDE,
BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
  (A) THE NUMBER OF MILITARY PERSONNEL CURRENTLY STATIONED IN  NEW  YORK
STATE  INCLUDING  THEIR  LOCATIONS, AND THE NUMBER OF MILITARY PERSONNEL
STATING NEW YORK STATE AS THEIR HOME OF RECORD, INCLUDING THEIR  CURRENT
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION;
  (B) THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF HOMELESS VETERANS STATEWIDE;

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  (C)  CURRENT  TEMPORARY OR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FACILITIES OR PROGRAMS
OPERATED BY ANY PRIVATE OR NON-PROFIT COMPANY, OR ANY FEDERAL, STATE, OR
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITY CURRENTLY OPEN TO VETERANS IN NEW YORK STATE;
  (D)  EXISTING PROPERTIES OWNED BY OR AVAILABLE TO THE STATE THAT COULD
BE USED TO CREATE HOUSING FACILITIES FOR VETERANS IN NEED;
  (E) THE ESTIMATED COSTS OF OPENING, OPERATING, AND MAINTAINING HOUSING
FOR VETERANS IN NEED THROUGHOUT THE STATE; AND
  (F) RECOMMENDATIONS OR LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS BASED UPON  THE  FINDINGS
OF THE STUDY.
  S 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law.