S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4995
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
February 22, 2021
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Introduced by Sens. PARKER, ADDABBO, BAILEY -- read twice and ordered
printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veter-
ans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to personal information
obtained from veterans or family members of veterans receiving
services from the state and political subdivisions thereof
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 354-f
to read as follows:
§ 354-F. USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM VETERANS OR FAMILY
MEMBERS OF VETERANS RECEIVING SERVICES FROM THE STATE AND POLITICAL
SUBDIVISIONS THEREOF. 1. DEPARTMENTS, DIVISIONS, BUREAUS, BOARDS,
COMMISSIONS AND AGENCIES OF THE STATE AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS THERE-
OF, WHICH PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, TREATMENT, COUNSELING, CARE, SUPERVISION
OR CUSTODY IN SERVICE AREAS INVOLVING HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, FAMILY
SERVICES, CRIMINAL JUSTICE OR EMPLOYMENT SHALL BE REQUIRED TO SOLICIT
INFORMATION ON WHETHER THEIR CUSTOMER OR CLIENT IS A VETERAN AS DEFINED
IN SECTION EIGHTY-FIVE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW OR FAMILY MEMBER OF A
VETERAN. ANY NEW FORMS CREATED AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION
SHALL CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: "HAVE YOU SERVED IN THE UNITED
STATES ARMED FORCES?" "HAS SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY SERVED IN THE UNITED
STATES MILITARY?"
2. INDIVIDUALS IDENTIFYING THEMSELVES AS HAVING SERVED IN THE MILITARY
OR A FAMILY MEMBER SHALL BE ADVISED THAT THE DIVISION OF VETERANS'
AFFAIRS AND LOCAL VETERANS SERVICE AGENCIES ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO
SECTION THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-SEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO
VETERANS REGARDING BENEFITS UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE LAW. INFORMATION
REGARDING VETERANS AND MILITARY STATUS PROVIDED BY ASSISTED PERSONS
SOLELY TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION SHALL BE USED ONLY TO ASSIST IN REFER-
RING THE VETERAN OR FAMILY MEMBER TO THE DIVISION OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09258-01-1
S. 4995 2
FOR INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE WITH REGARD TO BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE LAW.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before
such date.