Requires all forms issued to the public by the state include an optional question regarding veteran status
Impact
The introduction of this bill could substantially impact the way state agencies collect data related to veterans. By embedding a question about veteran status into public forms, it establishes a formal mechanism through which agencies can identify veteran individuals and families. Moreover, the bill promotes an option for individuals to consent to sharing their contact information for the purpose of receiving additional resources concerning veterans, potentially increasing outreach efforts.
Summary
Bill A10544 aims to amend the veterans' services law in New York by mandating that all forms issued to the public by state agencies include an optional question regarding the individual's veteran status. The intent of this legislation is to better identify veterans and those residing with veterans when they interact with state services. By doing so, the bill seeks to enhance the accessibility of resources specifically tailored for veterans, ensuring that they can be appropriately informed about various support options available to them.
Contention
There may be points of contention regarding privacy and the handling of personal information collected through these forms. Some stakeholders might raise concerns that asking for and potentially sharing contact information could lead to hesitance among individuals to disclose their veteran status or other personal details. Additionally, proponents of the bill could argue that the benefits of improved resource allocation for veterans outweigh these concerns, emphasizing the importance of ensuring veterans receive the support they need.
Requires all forms issued to the public by the state include an optional question regarding veteran status and whether the person completing the form would consent to the agency sharing their contact information with regards to resources available to veterans.
Authorizes the department of motor vehicles to accept a certificate of release or discharge from active duty issued by the United States department of defense (DD form 214), a veteran identification card issued by the United States department of veterans affairs, or a veterans health identification card issued by the United States department of veterans affairs from veterans of the military as acceptable proofs of identity when applying for a driver license or state identification card.
Authorizes the department of motor vehicles to accept a certificate of release or discharge from active duty issued by the United States department of defense (DD form 214), a veteran identification card issued by the United States department of veterans affairs, or a veterans health identification card issued by the United States department of veterans affairs from veterans of the military as acceptable proofs of identity when applying for a driver license or state identification card.
Requires all vehicles move over or slow down for parked, stopped and standing vehicles on highways, requiring the inclusion of at least one question regarding such requirement on the state driver's license examination, and requires public education measures on such requirement.
Includes whether an individual was in custody on the death certificate for such individual; requires such information to be included in the publicly available statistics published on the website of the department of health.
Requires the inclusion of questions pertaining to food insecurity on a residency questionnaire administered to public school students (EN NO IMPACT See Note)