Bill > S05124

This bill requires the New York State Department of Veterans' Services to provide legal and technical assistance to veterans who were discharged from the armed services due to their sexual orientation and wish to change their discharge status to honorable. Historically, LGBTQ+ service members were often subject to discriminatory policies that resulted in dishonorable or administrative discharges, which can negatively impact veterans' access to benefits, job opportunities, and other veteran-related services. By offering support to help these veterans modify their discharge status, the bill aims to remedy past systemic discrimination and help veterans obtain a more accurate and fair representation of their military service. The proposed amendment to the veterans' services law specifically adds a new provision that mandates the department to provide this targeted support, enabling veterans who were previously discharged based on sexual orientation to seek an honorable discharge status through legal and technical guidance.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5124