Senate Bill S9315

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9315

SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the veterans' services law, in relation to pre-release
briefings for incarcerated veterans regarding available federal and
state benefits

 
PURPOSE:

To require the New York State Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) to
conduct a mandatory pre-release briefing for veterans incarcerated in
state correctional institutions that explains federal and state veter-
ans' benefits and how eligible individuals and their families may access
these benefits, and to direct DVS to consult with the Department of
Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) to implement this program.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISONS:

Section 1. Amend § 4 of Veterans' Service Law by adding a new subsection
40 to require DVS to conduct pre-release benefit briefings for incarcer-
              

ated veterans prior to their anticipated release. Require DVS to consult
with DOCCS to integrate this program into the discharge planning proc-
esses of state correctional institutions.

Section 2 This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New York State is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the
nation, yet state and federal veterans' benefits remain significantly
underutilized. Data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and
state veterans' service agencies consistently show that a substantial
number of eligible veterans are not enrolled in or receiving benefits
such as disability compensation, pensions, education assistance, housing
supports, and other earned services.  Justice-involved veterans face
even greater barriers to accessing these benefits. Veterans who are
incarcerated often lack access to accurate information, required
documentation and individualized assistance needed to successfully apply
for benefits prior to reentry. As a result, many veterans leave state
correctional facilities without connection to the very benefits designed
to stabilize housing, income, healthcare, and employment. This increases
the risk of homelessness, poor health outcomes and recidivism. The
Department of Corrections and Community Supervision already identifies
incarcerated veterans and maintains coordination with the U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs through an existing VA coordinator and veter-
ans' reentry processes. As such, relevant data regarding inc arcerated
veterans is already being collected and shared, and this legislation
does not require the creation of a new identification system.  However,
there is currently no statutory requirement that ensures incarcerated
veterans receive a standardized, comprehensive briefing from the New
York State Department of Veterans' Services on the benefits available to
them and how to apply prior to release. This legislation addresses that
gap by requiring a mandatory prerelease briefing conducted by the
Department of Veterans' Services, in consultation with DOCCS. By lever-
aging existing data, infrastructure and interagency coordination, the
bill ensures that veterans are informed of and connected to federal and
state benefits they have earned through service at a critical transition
point. Providing timely benefits education prior to release will improve
reentry outcomes, maximize utilization of existing veterans' programs,
and strengthen New York State's commitment to supporting veterans;
particularly those navigating the challenges of reentry into civilian
life after incarceration.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

TBD

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect of the sixtieth day after