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
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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
A. 10145 2
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.