Bill > S00212

This bill establishes the Veterans' Memorials Preservation Act, which defines and protects memorials dedicated to veterans across New York state. The bill broadly defines a "memorial" as any public structure or space (including parks, monuments, buildings, artwork, plaques, or trees) that has been donated to or constructed by a public entity to honor veterans of U.S. armed forces, state military forces, or the New York National Guard. The act mandates that these memorials must be preserved and remain open to the public, prohibiting public entities from altering, destroying, reconfiguring, or moving these memorials except when reasonably necessary. Public entities are also required to maintain memorials in a reasonable condition and ensure public access, with only limited restrictions permitted. The legislation aims to protect and honor the memory of veterans by ensuring their commemorative spaces and structures remain intact and accessible. The act takes effect immediately upon passage, applying to existing and future veterans' memorials across various types of public entities, including state, city, town, village, borough, school district, and public authority levels.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S212