BILL NUMBER: S8897
SPONSOR: ADDABBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the veterans' services law, in relation to directing the
veterans service commission to submit a report relating to coordinated
services for veterans with service-connected disabilities to the veter-
ans' services director
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to review the services that are currently
available to veterans with service-connected disabilities by state and
local veterans' service agencies and identify any deficiencies in the
availability, accessibility and delivery of these services.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill contains the legislative intent of establishing a
statewide comprehensive program to coordinate services and programs for
veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Section 2 requires the commission, in consultation with the Office of
the Chief Disability Officer, by April 1, 2024, to submit a report to
the director reviewing the services provided to veterans with service-
connected disabilities. The report shall provide any findings and recom-
mendations on how to improve services and better coordinate how perti-
nent information can be better communicated to veterans. The report
shall be available for public review and comment.
Section 3 contains the effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
There are many veterans returning home from active military duty with
service-related disabilities. This bill would create an interagency
collaboration to identify the needs and services that service-disabled
veterans require and a more efficient matching of these needs to State
resources. New York State must provide additional assistance and support
to service-disabled veterans to better inform them of available services
and how such services can be accessed.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: S180A/A6874A: Referred to Senate Veterans, Homeland Security
and Military Affairs Committee / Passed Assembly
2019-20: 52738: Referred to Senate Veterans, Homeland. Security and
Military Affairs Committee
2017-18: S.2424B - Passed Senate.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have come
a law.