S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
55
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
(PREFILED)
January 8, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. EPSTEIN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to adding veterans to
protected classes for unlawful housing discrimination
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 296 of the executive law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 2-b to read as follows:
2-B. (A) IT SHALL BE AN UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICE FOR THE
OWNER, LESSEE, SUB-LESSEE, ASSIGNEE, OR MANAGING AGENT OF PUBLICLY-AS-
SISTED HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS OR OTHER PERSON HAVING THE RIGHT OF OWNER-
SHIP OR POSSESSION OF OR THE RIGHT TO RENT OR LEASE SUCH ACCOMMODATIONS
TO REFUSE TO SELL, RENT OR LEASE OR OTHERWISE TO DENY TO OR WITHHOLD
FROM ANY PERSON OR GROUP OF PERSONS SUCH HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS BECAUSE
OF SUCH PERSON'S STATUS AS A VETERAN.
(B) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE TERM "VETERAN" MEANS A
PERSON WHO SERVED ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE UNIFORMED SERVICES OF THE UNITED
STATES, OR IN THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, AIR NATIONAL GUARD, OR SERVICE AS
A COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, COMMISSIONED OFFI-
CER OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION OR ENVIRON-
MENTAL SCIENCES SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, OR CADET AT A UNITED STATES
ARMED FORCES SERVICE ACADEMY, AND WHO HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM SUCH
SERVICE.
§ 2. Subdivision 5 of section 296 of the executive law is amended by
adding a new paragraph (h) to read as follows:
(H) (1) IT SHALL BE AN UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICE FOR ANY PERSON
OFFERING OR PROVIDING HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS, LAND OR COMMERCIAL SPACE
AS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPHS (A), (B), AND (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION TO
REFUSE TO SELL, RENT OR LEASE ANY HOUSING ACCOMMODATION, LAND OR COMMER-
CIAL SPACE TO ANY PERSON BECAUSE OF SUCH PERSON'S STATUS AS A VETERAN.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00532-01-5
A. 55 2
(2) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PARAGRAPH, THE TERM "VETERAN" MEANS A
PERSON WHO SERVED ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE UNIFORMED SERVICES OF THE UNITED
STATES, OR IN THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, AIR NATIONAL GUARD, OR SERVICE AS
A COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, COMMISSIONED OFFI-
CER OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION OR ENVIRON-
MENTAL SCIENCES SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, OR CADET AT A UNITED STATES
ARMED FORCES SERVICE ACADEMY, AND WHO HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM SUCH
SERVICE.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.