Bill > A08057

This bill establishes a new position within the state's veterans' services department called the "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender veterans coordinator," who will be a veteran appointed by and reporting to the commissioner. This coordinator's primary role is to support the unique needs of LGBTQ+ veterans by identifying, developing, and coordinating statewide programs and services, making recommendations to improve benefits and services, and acting as a liaison between various organizations and the department. The coordinator will also advocate for LGBTQ+ veterans, maintain a resource clearinghouse, promote events that recognize their contributions, ensure their service is acknowledged on the department's website, and prepare reports on the demographics and needs of this veteran population. The bill also broadens the definition of "veteran" to explicitly include individuals with specific conditions or who are identified as "discharged LGBT veterans" who received an honorable discharge, and it mandates that the coordinator submit an annual report to the commissioner, a synopsis of which will be included in the commissioner's report to the governor and legislature.

Budget and Finance, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8057