STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton led the first meeting of the New York State Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee for the 2026 legislative session on Feb. 3, advancing seven bills designed to support veterans and their families.
Four of the bills that passed were sponsored by Scarcella-Spanton, who chairs the committee. The legislation addresses career assistance, resource access, legal information, and suicide prevention for veterans.
S.2067 would establish a Veteran Career Assistance Program within SUNY and CUNY, requiring coordination between the Director of Veterans’ Services and university leadership to help veterans with resume writing and employment placement.
S.2070 directs the Department of Veterans’ Services to create a searchable statewide database of resources for veterans, service members, and their families. The bill was vetoed in 2024 as duplicative, though DVS was directed to review and incorporate additional information into its website.
S.7765 requires the creation of a New York State veterans and service member law book compiling statutes, case law, regulations, and commentary related to veterans’ rights and benefits.
S.8968 would establish a Veteran Suicide Mortality Review Board to identify trends and contributing factors in veteran suicide deaths, assess service gaps, and coordinate prevention efforts with state and federal agencies.
Three additional bills sponsored by other senators also passed the committee. S.896A, sponsored by Senator Martinez, requires local comprehensive emergency management plans to include accommodations for individuals with animal companions and adds county animal response teams to local emergency assistance partnerships. S.1188, sponsored by Senator Addabbo, provides veterans’ organizations with a 120-day grace period to correct building or health code violations before fines are imposed. S.1788, sponsored by Senator Hinchey, extends eligibility for an additional real property tax exemption to veterans who served on submarines or on classified missions during a period of war.
“I remain deeply committed to ensuring that our veterans and military families have the resources, support, and recognition they deserve in New York,” Scarcella-Spanton said. “Advancing legislation that makes a difference in the lives of our veterans, active-duty service members, and their families is a responsibility I will continue to take very seriously in the 2026 session. I look forward to building on the momentum we’ve established in 2025 and keeping the needs of our service members and veterans at the forefront of our efforts in the legislature this year.”
Scarcella-Spanton also serves on the committees on Civil Service and Pensions, Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Disabilities, Labor, and Women’s Issues.