Senate Bill S9235

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9235

SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to eligibility for mili-
tary enhanced recognition, incentive and tribute ("MERIT") scholarships

 
PURPOSE:

To expand eligibility for military enhanced recognition, incentive and
tribute scholarships by expanding the definition of Severely and Perma-
nently Disabled to include individuals who are unable to engage in their
occupation for substantial gainful activity.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 sets forth a definition of "severely and permanently disabled"
to include either a person who is unable to engage in any occupation for
substantial gainful activity due to a physical or mental impairment or a
person who is unable to engage in any occupation for remuneration or
profit due to a physical or mental impairment.
              

Section 2 sets forth the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Expanding the definition of "Severely and Permanently Disabled" within
the Military Enhanced Recognition, Incentive, and Tribute (MERIT) schol-
arships to include individuals who can still perform some minimal work
but cannot work for a substantial wage, as well as their children,
spouses and financial dependents, ensures that the program will include
individuals who are severely disabled but still want to work. The
current definition may unintentionally exclude veterans and service-con-
nected individuals whose disabilities, while not meeting the narrowest
criteria, still prevent them from sustaining meaningful employment and
achieving financial independence. This change recognizes the full scope
of service-related impairments that can drastically limit a person's
capacity to earn a living, honoring both their sacrifice and ongoing
challenges.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.