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New YorkA 62642025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Expands the definition of veteran to include members of the commissioned corps of the national oceanic and atmospheric administration and the commissioned corps of the public health service

Sponsored By: Steve Stern (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

VETERANS' AFFAIRSWAYS AND MEANSRULESVETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Veteran benefits reach more service members

New York expands veteran status for its economic development programs. The definition includes National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Public Health Service commissioned corps members and their reserves. It also includes Army and Air National Guard members, New York Guard members, and New York Naval Militia members. An honorable or general discharge qualifies. The law also preserves eligibility through its qualifying-condition and LGBT-veteran rules, excluding bad-conduct or dishonorable discharges. Benefits also cover eligible people paid daily, hourly, twice monthly, or monthly, with or without room and board. The change takes effect April 1 of the calendar year after enactment; it does not set specific benefit amounts.

More public workers get paid holidays

Covered New York public employees with active-duty NOAA or Public Health Service commissioned corps service qualify for paid holiday leave. Covered employers include the state, counties, towns, fire districts, cities, villages, public benefit corporations, and public authorities. Eligible employees get 24 hours of paid leave on Memorial Day and on Veterans’ Day, without losing vacation time. Eligibility requires an honorable discharge or separation under honorable conditions, or qualification through the law's qualifying-condition or LGBT-veteran rules. Bad-conduct and dishonorable discharges do not qualify. When holiday leave threatens public safety or the health or safety of people in state care, employees get another day. Refusing the required leave counts as neglect of duty. The change takes effect April 1 of the calendar year after enactment.

Job protections cover more corps officers

New York counts NOAA and Public Health Service commissioned officer service as military duty for public employment protections. Covered time runs from leaving the public job until reinstatement, which must occur within 90 days after duty ends. Existing exclusions remain: voluntary service entered January 1, 1947, through June 24, 1950, does not count. Voluntary service after July 1, 1970, beyond four years remains excluded, except during a presidentially declared war or national emergency. The expanded definition takes effect April 1 of the calendar year after enactment.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Steve Stern

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Judy Griffin

    Democratic • House

  • Rebecca Seawright

    Democratic • House

  • Sam Berger

    Democratic • House

  • Tommy Schiavoni

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 207 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/11/2025

FLOOR Vote

Yes: 59 • No: 0

House vote • 4/2/2025

Assembly floor vote

Yes: 148 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. SIGNED CHAP.612

    12/5/2025House

  2. DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR

    12/1/2025House

  3. RETURNED TO ASSEMBLY

    6/11/2025Senate

  4. PASSED SENATE

    6/11/2025Senate

  5. 3RD READING CAL.742

    6/11/2025Senate

  6. SUBSTITUTED FOR S5246

    6/11/2025Senate

  7. REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

    4/2/2025Senate

  8. DELIVERED TO SENATE

    4/2/2025House

  9. PASSED ASSEMBLY

    4/2/2025House

  10. ORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.132

    4/1/2025House

  11. RULES REPORT CAL.132

    4/1/2025House

  12. REPORTED

    4/1/2025House

  13. REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES

    4/1/2025House

  14. REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

    3/11/2025House

  15. REFERRED TO VETERANS' AFFAIRS

    2/27/2025House

Bill Text

  • Original

    2/27/2025

    PDF

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