BILL NUMBER: S8568
SPONSOR: ASHBY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to expanding eligibility
under the veterans tuition awards program to include recipients of the
award of the Purple Heart
 
PURPOSE:
To provide Purple Heart recipients with the same education benefits as
those veterans who served at least 4 years of active-duty service.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 and 2 amend section 669-a of the education law to expand the
veteran tuition awards program to include Purple Heart recipients.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In 2025, New York State officially became known as a Purple Heart state,
enshrining into law our gratitude for the sacrifices made by wounded
Veterans and solidifying our commitment to them.
A Purple Heart Award is a military decoration given to those who are
wounded or killed while serving. This award recognizes the physical
sacrifice made by service members during combat or as a result of enemy
action, acts of terrorism, or friendly fire. The Purple Heart is one of
the oldest military decorations, originally established by General
George Washinton in 1782.
Currently, the Veterans Tuition Award in NYS is available to veterans
who have completed at least four years of active-duty service; however,
someone who receives a Purple Heart Award may be unable to continue
their active-duty service and may not reach the four years necessary for
the tuition benefit. This legislation expands the Veterans Tuition
Awards program to include Purple Heart recipients. Paying for their
education is an important step towards helping these wounded veterans
reintegrate into NYS. Many states already provide this for these veter-
ans. It is time for NY to stand up and remind our Purple Heart recipi-
ents that we are proud of them and we want them to stay in NY to learn,
live and work.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

Statutes affected:
S8568: 669-a education law, 669-a(1) education law, 669-a(2) education law