BILL NUMBER: S7850
SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the military law, in relation to the issuance of a New
York State Cold War Commemorative Medal
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to recognize the contributions of those who
served in the armed forces during the Cold War with a Cold War Commemo-
rative Medal.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Subdivision 1 of Section 247 of the Military Law, as added by
Chapter 610 of the Laws of 2023, is renumbered 1-g and a new subdivision
1-h is added to authorize the Governor to present in the name of the
Legislature of the State of New York, a medal to be known as the "New
York State Cold War Commemorative Medal." The Governor in consultation
with the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans' Services shall make
rules and regulations as may deemed necessary for the proper presenta-
tion and distribution of such medals including the eligibility of Cold
War veterans who have already received the Cold War certificate pursuant
to subdivision one-b of this section.
Section 2 amends Subdivision 4 of Section 247 of the Military Law to
clarify that a recipient of the New York State Cold War Commemorative
Medal shall not be required to be a resident of the State of New York at
the time of the recipient's entry into the armed forces.
Section 3 states the effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New Yorkers pride themselves on recognizing and honoring the courageous
service and sacrifice of our heroic members of the armed forces. From
the end of World War II until 1991, the United States and the Soviet
Union engaged in a global military rivalry commonly known as the Cold
War. Although, the discipline and dedication of U.S. service members was
fundamental to the prevention of a direct superpower conflict during
this period and many sacrificed just as much as service members of other
eras, the United States Government has not authorized a Medal to recog-
nize the service of Cold War Veterans. Many of these heroes are current
or former residents of the State of New York and therefore, it is
fitting that these veterans who served during this period receive proper
State recognition for their efforts in the form of a New York State Cold
War Commemorative Medal.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is new legislation.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first day of April, next succeeding
the date on which it shall have become law. The Division of Military and
Naval Affairs is authorized to promulgate all rules and regulations and
take any other measures necessary to implement the provisions of this
act on its effective date on or before such date.

Statutes affected:
S7850: 247 military law, 247(4) military law