New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S06726

Introduced
3/20/25  
Refer
3/20/25  

Caption

Relates to additional credit allowed veterans in competitive examinations; expands the definition of "veteran" and "non-disabled veteran" to include the spouse and/or children of a member of the armed forces of the United States who served therein in time of war and was subsequently killed in the line of duty.

Summary

S06726 amends New York’s civil service law to expand who is treated as a “veteran” and “non-disabled veteran” for purposes of competitive civil service examinations and related retention preferences. In addition to existing categories of honorably discharged service members, the bill would include the spouse and/or children of a member of the U.S. armed forces who served during wartime and was subsequently killed in the line of duty. By broadening the statutory definition, the bill would allow these surviving family members to qualify for the additional credit and preference benefits currently available under section 85 of the civil service law. The measure takes effect immediately and would apply to appointment, promotion, and retention contexts covered by the veterans’ preference framework.

Impact

The bill would amend section 85 of the civil service law, changing the legal definition of “veteran” and “non-disabled veteran” for civil service purposes. Its practical effect is to extend veterans’ competitive examination credit and related retention preferences to certain surviving spouses and children of wartime service members who died in the line of duty, thereby affecting state and local civil service hiring and layoff/retention decisions where those preferences apply.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or recorded vote information was provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill’s subject matter and sponsor framing, the measure appears to be a pro-veterans and pro-survivor-benefits expansion intended to recognize families of service members killed in the line of duty.

Contention

The text itself suggests the main policy issue is whether civil service veterans’ preference should be extended beyond the service member to surviving spouses and children. Potential points of contention would likely center on the scope of the preference, fairness in competitive hiring and retention, and whether expanding eligibility could affect other applicants’ relative standing in civil service examinations. No specific objections or supporters are identified in the provided record.

Companion Bills

NY A04769

Same As Relates to additional credit allowed veterans in competitive examinations; expands the definition of "veteran" and "non-disabled veteran" to include the spouse and/or children of a member of the armed forces of the United States who served therein in time of war and was subsequently killed in the line of duty.

Previously Filed As

NY A04769

Relates to additional credit allowed veterans in competitive examinations; expands the definition of "veteran" and "non-disabled veteran" to include the spouse and/or children of a member of the armed forces of the United States who served therein in time of war and was subsequently killed in the line of duty.

NY A00291

Includes the Space Force as being members of the armed forces or veterans eligible for certain credits and benefits that are available to other active and veteran members of the armed forces.

NY S00243

Includes the Space Force as being members of the armed forces or veterans eligible for certain credits and benefits that are available to other active and veteran members of the armed forces.

NY S08424

Provides a legacy credit to the children and siblings of veterans who were killed in the line of duty including veterans who were disabled as a result of their service, exposed to toxic substances, or presumptive conditions determined by the department of veterans affairs.

NY A08723

Provides a legacy credit to the children and siblings of veterans who were killed in the line of duty including veterans who were disabled as a result of their service, exposed to toxic substances, or presumptive conditions determined by the department of veterans affairs.

NY A10418

Expands the veterans' services commission to include two additional members and several additional ex officio members.

NY S09851

Expands the veterans' services commission to include two additional members and several additional ex officio members.

NY S07779

Creates a distinctive license plate for veterans honoring Borinqueneers; defines "veteran" as a person who is a resident of this state, who served in the armed forces of the United States, and was honorably discharged from the armed forces, or has a qualifying condition, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service, or is a discharged LGBT veteran, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service.

NY S07277

Allows veterans of the armed forces of the United States to fish for free in state parks under the jurisdiction of a state agency.

NY A03223

Allows veterans of the armed forces of the United States to fish for free in state parks under the jurisdiction of a state agency.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.