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Senator Bruno meets with a U.S. soldier after announcing an agreement on the "Patriot Plan". |
Provides Sweeping Array Of New Benefits And Protections For NY's Military Families
Wednesday, June 18, 2003
Governor George E. Pataki, Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today announced a three-way agreement on the "Patriot Plan" - an unprecedented, comprehensive package of new benefits and enhanced protections for New York's military personnel and their families.
The "Patriot Plan" will assist troops and their families who face potential added expenses and disruptions caused by being called to active duty in the nation's ongoing war against terrorism. Today's agreement builds upon the administrative measures already taken by Governor Pataki in March to provide new benefits and protections for our State' brave servicemen and women and their families.
"In the post-September 11th world, New York's military servicemen and women are playing an even greater role in the fight for freedom and in keeping our nation safe from serious threats and acts of terror," Governor Pataki said. "The new -Patriot Plan" will serve as model for the rest of the nation in providing our brave servicemen and women and their families with the additional support and protections they need and deserve, and we encourage other states to follow New York's lead."
Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said, "As we did during - Desert Storm" and following September 11th, the Senate is doing everything possible to assist New Yorkers who put themselves in harms way to fight for freedom. We want to do all we can to give peace of mind to our troops, so they can focus on the enormous and dangerous challenges they face, and peace of mind to their families, knowing that they can communicate with their loved ones. The protections put in place with this law will minimize financial disruptions and other problems they face."
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, "The recent war in Iraq and the massive call to service of thousands of New Yorkers affected every corner of our state. Still reeling from the impact of 9/11, New Yorkers responded to the call to duty. We recognize that the needs of military personnel on active duty and their families are unique, and today we are taking action on legislation aimed at easing some of the turmoil caused by serving in active duty."
Senator Betty Little said, "Generations of brave Americans have served our country, placing themselves in harm's way while families back home worried for their safety. I experienced this anxiety firsthand as my son David flew missions over Iraq earlier this year. The phone calls I had with him, and those he had with his wife and two sons, were extraordinarily comforting for us and uplifting for him. I am very pleased we will be able to make phone calls more affordable for the families of servicemen and women protecting us."
Senator Michael A.L. Balboni said, "New York's military personnel play a vital role in keeping our nation safe. This legislation will ensure that they and their families get the support and protections they deserve."
Senator Bill Larkin said, "We need to continue to show our unwavering support for our troops overseas and the families who are waiting for their safe return. We want to do everything we possibly can to ease their burden so they can focus on the enormous and dangerous tasks ahead. Knowing that they can communicate with their loved ones and that there are protections in place to help minimize financial and other types of disruptions while they are away will bring everyone some needed peace of mind."
Senator Vincent Leibell said, "This law will permit members of the National Guard under state activation to be paid by direct deposit. At this time, when many guard units may be activated to provide terrorism prevention and protection services, this bill is especially appropriate. We must stand behind our servicemen and women."
Major General Thomas P. Maguire, Jr., The Adjutant General of New York said, "Through his actions to raise minimum state active duty pay, grant health insurance to families of state deployed personnel and grant additional military leave to state employees, Governor Pataki had already established New York as a leader in caring for and supporting its citizen soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines. With this legislation, our Commander in Chief and our friends in the legislature have established a paradigm to be followed by the rest of the nation. We are asking more of our military personnel and their families than ever before, and I'm proud that New York State has taken the lead to appropriately do more for them than ever before."
Under the new "Patriot Plan," New York's military personnel called to duty and their families will be eligible for a broad array of new benefits and protections. The provisions of the Plan include:
Protection against Military Status Discrimination: Expands the protections of the Human Rights Law to military personnel to ensure that they are not discriminated against in housing, employment, public accommodations or credit applications.
Termination of Vehicle Leases: Permits military personnel to terminate a car lease if he or she is called to active duty.
Interest Rate Cap on Installment Loans: Caps rates of interest on installment loans at 6 percent while the individual is on state active duty.
Health Insurance Benefits: Directs the Insurance Department to protect the rights of military personnel to continue, suspend or convert health insurance benefits during periods of active duty. Also requires the Division of Veterans' Affairs to make health provider information concerning military-related illnesses, such as Gulf War Syndrome and Hepatitis C, available to military personnel and their families via a 1-800 telephone hotline.
State Family Liaison Officers: Directs the Adjutant General to designate Family Liaison Officers to assist families of military personnel during periods of deployments ordered by Presidential or Congressional directives.
MERIT Scholarship Program: Provides the children, spouses and dependents of New York military personnel killed or severely and permanently disabled during the Persian Gulf conflict (retroactive to 1990), the war on terrorism or the current military action in Iraq with undergraduate awards to cover the cost of attending institutions of the State University or City University, or a commensurate amount to attend a private college or university in New York State.
Educational Military Leave of Absence and Tuition Relief: Requires colleges and universities to provide educational military leave of absence for students called to active duty. The provisions require that the institution restore the student to his/her previous educational status upon return from military service without loss of credits earned, scholarships or grants or other fees paid prior to commencement of military duty. In addition, colleges and universities would be required to provide a tuition refund or credit to students who are forced to suspend their studies because of a military leave of absence.
Telephone Rates: Requires OGS and DMNA to negotiate bulk telephone rates on behalf of those on active military duty and their families.
Video Conferencing: Requires DMNA and OFT to coordinate with the Department of Defense to provide access to video conferencing at selected sites for families to communicate with their loved ones overseas.
Retirement Loan Repayment: Permits the suspension of loan payments for public employees who borrowed against their retirement system savings while such employees are engaged in active duty.
Electronic Transfer of Paychecks: Provides that paychecks of public employees activated for foreign deployments will be made by electronic transfer of funds unless such employee opts to not have such payments made in such manner.
Free High-Speed Internet: Provides free high-speed Internet access at places such as State University campuses and public libraries to family members of activated troops.
Employer Recognition: Creates a "NY-USA Proud" employer of distinction award to recognize companies that show exceptional support for military reservists and National Guard members.
Patriot Discount Program: Establishes a voluntary, state-sponsored program for merchants who agree to provide reduced price discounts for merchandise and services for all military personnel.
Waive License Fee Renewals: Waives teaching license fees for licenses that lapse during deployment and extends EMT and First Responder certifications that expire during deployment. Professional licenses and continuing education requirements are also extended during deployment.
School Stability: Children of overseas deployed parents will be permitted to remain in same school, without disruption for period of deployment.
Evictions: Prohibits evictions of a member of soldier's family during period of active duty military service. Extends mortgage foreclosure exemption for those called to active duty from three to six months following deployment.
Insurance Provisions: Life insurance policies cannot lapse during period of active deployment or 45 days following return.
Free Hunting and Fishing Licenses: Provides free hunting and fishing licenses to members of the Guard, Reserve and state militia.
In addition, Governor Pataki has continued via Executive Order the following provisions:
Free Park Access: Provides free access to state parks for families of reservists and members of the National Guard and their families.
Supplemental Pay: The Governor expanded the supplemental military leave program established after 9/11 to ensure that all state officers and employees called to active duty in the war against terror suffer no loss of salary as a result of their service.
There are now nearly 3,000 New York National Guard troops on State and federal active duty in New York and in other parts of the US and overseas. Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 14,000 members of the New York National Guard's 17,000 troops have been called to active duty.
Today, over 5,000 members of New York-based US Army, Air Force, Naval and Marine Corps Reserve units are currently on active duty at home and overseas.
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