Relates to pre-release briefings for incarcerated veterans regarding available federal and state benefits

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 3 co-sponsors

Requires pre-release briefings for incarcerated veterans on federal/state benefits and how to apply, as part of discharge planning.

SUBSTITUTED BY A10163

Purpose and intent

This bill amends New York’s veterans’ services law to require pre-release briefings for incarcerated veterans. The intent is to ensure veterans who are about to be released from state correctional facilities receive information about federal and state benefits available to them and their families, and guidance on how to apply for those benefits.

Key provisions

New mandatory briefing requirement: Section 4 of the veterans’ services law would add a new subdivision (40) obligating the Department of Veterans’ Services to conduct a pre-release briefing for any incarcerated individual who is a veteran.

Scope of briefing: The briefing must explain and share information about:

Federal and state benefits available to veterans and their families.
How to apply for those benefits.

Timing: The briefing is required as part of the discharge planning process, prior to the veteran’s release from a state correctional institution.

Interagency collaboration: The Department of Veterans’ Services must consult with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to implement the provisions, indicating coordination between the two agencies.

Effective date: The act would take effect 60 days after becoming law.

Affected parties

Primary beneficiaries: Incarcerated veterans in state correctional facilities in New York, and their families, who would receive benefit information and application guidance prior to release.

State agencies:

New York Department of Veterans’ Services (responsible for conducting the briefings).
Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (collaborates on implementation and discharge planning processes).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative status: Introduced February 27, 2026; referred to the Senate committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs.

Implementation timeline: Takes effect 60 days after enactment; requires coordination with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for rollout.

Discharge planning integration: The briefing is integrated into the existing discharge planning process for incarcerated veterans, reinforcing linkages to benefit access upon release.

Notes

The bill text uses standard format for adding a new subdivision (40) to Section 4 of the veterans’ services law.

No new funding appropriation is specified in the bill text; if enacted, there may be a need for budgeting to support staffing and materials for briefings.

This summary covers the bill’s purpose, substantive changes, affected individuals and agencies, and key procedural aspects, presented in plain language for broad understanding.

Bill