Albany, NY – A new proposal in the New York State Assembly would require state and local veterans’ service agencies to provide employment assistance and information specifically tailored to veterans with disabilities.
Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar introduced the bill, Assembly A4751A, to ensure that veterans’ employment programs explicitly include disabled veterans and that these individuals are informed about opportunities available through the state’s Civil Service Law.
The measure updates existing statutes to guarantee that veterans’ agencies actively connect disabled veterans with resources under Section 55-c of the Civil Service Law, which grants preferential hiring consideration in public employment.
Linking veterans to state employment programs
The legislation directs the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services to add a virtual link to the Department of Civil Service on its online employment portal. It also mandates that both state and local veterans’ service offices inform veterans, service members, and their families about the 55-c hiring program.
That program, originally designed to provide civil service positions for disabled veterans, was recently expanded to include all veterans, regardless of whether they served during wartime. Rajkumar’s bill would close the communication gap to ensure every eligible veteran can access those opportunities.
Clarifying agency duties to better serve veterans
Currently, the Veterans’ Services Law requires agencies to offer employment and reemployment assistance but does not explicitly reference Section 55-c or disabled veterans. The amendment would correct that omission, codifying the duty to assist veterans with disabilities in finding suitable public-sector jobs.
Supporters of the measure argue that the update is an important administrative step that aligns state practice with existing law, while strengthening the infrastructure of New York’s veterans’ employment network.
Implementation and fiscal impact
If enacted, the law would take effect immediately. Fiscal implications for the state and local governments are still being determined, though the bill is expected to rely largely on existing resources and online infrastructure.
The measure builds on prior legislative efforts to expand workforce access for veterans and reflects an ongoing push in Albany to remove barriers to employment for those returning from service with disabilities.
Key Points
- The bill requires veterans’ agencies to include disabled veterans in employment services.
- It mandates online links and outreach about Section 55-c hiring opportunities.
- The law would take effect immediately upon passage.
