STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9511
IN ASSEMBLY
May 5, 2014
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Introduced by M. of A. BENEDETTO, CUSICK, SCHIMEL, MILLER -- read once
and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to veteran affairs; and
the election law, in relation to statewide election application forms
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 353 of the executive law is amended by adding two
2 new subdivisions 22 and 23 to read as follows:
3 22. To process all information received from the state of New York
4 board of elections pursuant to subparagraph (xiii) of paragraph (k) of
5 subdivision five of section 5-210 of the election law indicating veteran
6 status. Such processing shall occur by transmitting such information to
7 state counselors for review and potential linkage to applicable bene-
8 fits. State counselors shall work with county counselors or any accred-
9 ited service officers of an organization chartered by the congress of
10 the United States and/or recognized by the department of veterans
11 affairs for claim representation as necessary and where appropriate.
12 23. To include within the annual report, as required by subdivision
13 eleven of this section, an accounting of the number of forms received
14 from veterans linked to applicable benefits. Such report shall evaluate
15 the average time taken by the division between receipt of such informa-
16 tion, transmission to veterans counselors and linkage to available bene-
17 fits. Such report shall also evaluate the effectiveness of the program
18 and make recommendations for improvements as necessary.
19 § 2. Paragraph (k) of subdivision 5 of section 5-210 of the election
20 law is amended by adding a new subparagraph (xiii) to read as follows:
21 (xiii) A space for the applicant to indicate whether or not the voter
22 has served in the United States armed forces. For the purposes of this
23 subdivision, the term United States armed forces shall include partic-
24 ipation in the military service of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air
25 Force, Coast Guard or reserve component of the armed forces of the
26 United States called to active duty. Individuals identifying themselves
27 as veterans shall be advised that the division of veterans' affairs and
28 local veterans' service agencies, established pursuant to section three
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14671-01-4
A. 9511 2
1 hundred fifty-seven of the executive law, provide assistance to veterans
2 regarding benefits under federal and state law.
3 § 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
4 have become a law; provided that any rules and regulations necessary for
5 the implementation of this act on its effective date shall be promulgat-
6 ed on or before such date.
