Gov. Kathy Hochul signed several bills aimed at helping veterans and their families before Veterans Day, her office announced Friday.
The legislation:
- clarifies the definition of veteran to include career members of the armed forces for tax-exempt purposes
- provides free access to veterans and Gold Star pedigrees to New York’s state parks, historic sites and recreational facilities
- requires the small business revolving loan fund within the Empire State Development Corporation of New York to be marketed to veteran-owned businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses
- requires the number of applicants applying as veterans or surviving spouse of a veteran to be noted on the Mitchell-Lama application waiting list so that applicants are clear if there are other veterans applying for the same accommodation
- directs certain municipalities to contact a veterans organization to ensure the disposition of unclaimed remains of a deceased veteran
- eliminates the “wartime service” requirement that bars a large number of interested veterans from seeking employment in certain civil service roles, thereby expanding the applicant pool
- creates VIP NY, a veteran internship program that will award 10% of available internships in the Assembly Youth Involvement Program and Senate Student Program to eligible honorably discharged veterans
“We owe a debt of gratitude to the veterans who risked their lives to serve our country,” Hochul said in a statement. “This legislation will provide resources and support to New York State’s veterans, honoring their service and recognizing their heroism. »
Veterans can find more support through the state Department of Veterans Services, which has served as the state’s advocacy agency for veterans, service members and military families since 1945.