New York Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Remote Driver's License and Vehicle Registration Renewal (Vehicle Registration): New York Policy Implemented

Demographic Data

State residents include:

27,458 active-duty service members
9,294 active-duty spouses
14,528 active-duty children
39,910 National Guard and reserve members
15,357 National Guard and reserve spouses
21,351 National Guard and reserve children

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2023.

Christopher Arnold

Mid-Atlantic Regional Liaison

Mid-Atlantic Region

DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV

EMAIL

Mr. Arnold became Mid-Atlantic liaison in 2020. Prior to joining the DSLO, he spent eight years as a top-level staffer in both houses of the New York legislature, four years as director of public affairs in New York's third-largest city and three years managing several units of county government. Mr. Arnold is a former journalist and U.S. Army combat veteran.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

No Action
Bill introduced
Priority advanced
Policy Passed
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Medicaid Waivers

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

11/28/2016

Allow Service Members to Retain Their Earned Priority for Receiving Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers Final Legislation

For dependents who received developmental disability services and who left the state due to the military service member's military assignment outside the state, upon the dependent's return to the state and when a request for services is made, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities shall: (4) resume services if the individual remains eligible.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Veteran Hiring Protection

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Purple Star Schools Program

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Military Spouse Teacher Certification3/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Expediting Applications

11/02/2017

Expediting Applications Final Legislation

Expedite military spouse applications and reduced fee

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Temporary Licensing

11/04/2020

Temporary Licensing Final Legislation

The Board of Regents created a new Transitional J certificate for military spouses. The Transitional J certificate is valid for one year from its effective date to give military spouses time to pass the tests required for certification. If they pass the Educating All Students (EAS) test and Content Specialty Tests(s) prior to the expiration date of the Transitional J certificate, the certificate may be renewed once for an additional two years.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Improving Endorsements

11/04/2020

Improving Endorsements Final Legislation

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Advance Enrollment

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

05/19/2021A6528

06/03/2021S5743

11/11/2021

Advance Enrollment Final Legislation

Thanks to a law crafted by Assemblyman Ed Braunstein and Senator James Skoufis, military-connected children whose parent or guardian is being relocated to New York under military orders shall be deemed to be a resident pupil of a school district they will be attending for the purposes of enrollment.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Service Member Licensure and Credit

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

01/14/2023A1474

03/13/2023S1364

08/07/2023

Licensure and Academic Credit for Separating Service Members Final Legislation

SUNY and CUNY colleges offer full credit for knowledge and experience gained through military service, using credit recommendations from the ACE Military Guide, Joint Services Transcript (JST), and nationally recognized DSST Credit-by-Exam Program (DSST) and the Defense Language Proficiency Tests (DLPT).

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Virtual School Enrollment

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

In-State Tuition Continuity

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

06/01/2021A6249

05/19/2021S5245

11/11/2021

In-State Tuition Continuity Final Legislation

Senator John Brooks and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon authored and passed legislation which guarantees in-state tuition continuity for spouses and dependents of active duty service members in New York.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Pro Bono Representation

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Ask the Question Campaign

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

06/03/2021A6100

06/01/2021S2977

11/11/2021

Ask the Question Campaign Final Legislation

This law requires New York State agencies to provide that online and agency forms include the question, "Have you ever served in the military?"

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

Emeritus Priorities

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

Emeritus Priorities

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