Bill
A 6559
Establishes a codified set of rights for veterans when using state/local veterans’ services, ensuring respectful treatment, clear information, and access to assistance.
Status (as of May 21, 2025)
- Introduced: March 6, 2025 (Referred to Veterans’ Affairs in Assembly)
- Assembly action: Reported, passed Assembly (May 21, 2025), ordered to third reading and delivered to the Senate
- Senate referral: Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs (May 21, 2025)
- Amendments/prints: A6559A and A6559B were printed and the bill was amended and recommitted in committee prior to passage in the Assembly
- Sponsors: Assemblymember Michael Benedetto (primary), cosponsors Judy Griffin and Joe Angelino
- Companion: S.7708 (Senate companion bill)
Purpose and intent
- The bill is titled “Establishes a veterans' bill of rights.” Its stated purpose is to define and codify a set of rights for veterans (and often their families) when interacting with state and local entities that provide veterans’ services, benefits, healthcare or other supports. The goal of such a measure is to ensure consistent treatment, transparency, and access to assistance and appeals.
Important note on available text
- The materials provided to summarize the bill include metadata and embedded/garbled PDF content but do not include a readable clean copy of the statutory language. The section below therefore describes the bill’s likely scope and typical provisions found in “veterans’ bill of rights” legislation; readers should consult the official bill text (A.6559/A.6559A/A.6559B) or companion S.7708 on the Legislature’s website for exact language and any enforcement mechanisms.
Key provisions commonly included (likely components)
- A clear statement of rights to be afforded to veterans when accessing government veteran services, such as:
- Right to courteous, timely, and respectful treatment.
- Right to receive clear information about benefits, eligibility, application procedures, and timelines.
- Right to assistance from accredited veteran service officers (VSOs) or counsel in preparing claims and appeals.
- Right to timely decisions and to be notified of determinations and appeals processes.
- Right to privacy and confidentiality of personal and medical records.
- Right to reasonable accommodations for disabilities.
- Right to lodge complaints and obtain reviews or ombudsman assistance if services are denied or delayed.
- Requirements for agencies to publicize and post the bill of rights and to train staff on veterans’ rights and benefits.
- Potentially creates procedures for filing complaints, internal reviews, required responses by agencies, and possible remedies or sanctions for violations (the presence and scope of such mechanisms must be verified in the bill text).
Who would be affected
- Veterans and their families/caregivers who interact with state and local veterans’ services.
- State agencies (e.g., Division of Veterans’ Services), local veterans’ service agencies, veterans’ homes, and other entities that administer veterans’ benefits or care.
- Accredited VSOs and agencies required to implement notice, training, and complaint-handling procedures.
Procedural next steps and practical impact
- The bill has passed the Assembly and awaits Senate committee consideration. If the Senate committee reports and the full Senate passes the bill (or its companion S.7708), it would go to the Governor for signature.
- If enacted, the bill would standardize expectations and administrative obligations across state and local providers of veterans’ services; the concrete impact depends on the enforcement provisions and any resources or staffing commitments required by the final statutory language.
Recommended action
- For specifics (exact rights, enforcement, deadlines, or funding implications), review the official bill text (A.6559A/B) or companion S.7708 on the New York State Legislature website, or contact the sponsor’s office or the Senate Veterans Committee clerk for the latest version and fiscal/committee reports.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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