Clarifies the definition of severe and permanent disability for eligibility for military enhanced recognition, incentive and tribute ("MERIT") scholarships.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9235
IN SENATE
February 18, 2026
___________
Introduced by Sen. SCARCELLA-SPANTON -- read twice and ordered printed,
and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Home-
land Security and Military Affairs
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to eligibility for mili-
tary enhanced recognition, incentive and tribute ("MERIT") scholar-
ships
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 668-e of the education law is amended by adding a
2 new subdivision 3 to read as follows:
3 3. Severely and permanently disabled. For the purposes of this
4 section, an individual is severely and permanently disabled when a
5 doctor of medicine or osteopathy, licensed to practice in a state, has
6 determined that such person is either:
7 a. unable to engage in any occupation for substantial gainful activity
8 due to a physical or mental impairment; or
9 b. unable to engage in any occupation for remuneration or profit due
10 to a physical or mental impairment.
11 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13771-01-5
