New York S 4013: Relates to establishing a peer support program for veterans

Bill Text

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S04013 Summary:

BILL NOS04013A

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SAME ASSAME AS A06037-A

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SPONSORPARKER

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COSPNSRGALLIVAN, MARTINEZ, SEPULVEDA

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MLTSPNSR

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Add §7.42, Ment Hyg L

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Establishes a peer support program for veterans.

Go to top S04013 Actions:

BILL NOS04013A

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01/31/2025REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

01/07/2026REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

05/19/2026AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

05/19/2026PRINT NUMBER 4013A

Go to topS04013 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS04013 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS04013 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 4013--A

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 January 31, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sens. PARKER, GALLIVAN, MARTINEZ, SEPULVEDA -- read twice
 and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee
 on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs -- recommitted to
 the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs in
 accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill
 amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said commit-
 tee

 AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing a
 peer support program for veterans

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section
 2 7.42 to read as follows:
 3 § 7.42 Peer support program for veterans.
 4 (a) For the purpose of this section:
 5 1. the term "veteran peer support services" shall include any form of
 6 peer to peer counseling services for the treatment and recovery of
 7 mental illness, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, and/or chemical depend-
 8 ence that are delivered by a veteran peer counselor to veterans.
 9 2. the term "veteran peer counselor" shall mean a veteran who provides
 10 veteran peer support services.
 11 3. The term "veteran" means a person:
 12 (i) who served in the active military, naval, air or space service of
 13 the United States and who was discharged or released therefrom under
 14 conditions other than dishonorable; or
 15 (ii) has a qualifying condition, as defined in section one of the
 16 veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad
 17 conduct or dishonorable from such service; or
 18 (iii) is a discharged LGBT veteran, as defined in section one of the
 19 veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad
 20 conduct or dishonorable from such service; or

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD07558-03-5

 S. 4013--A 2

 1 (iv) is a "veteran" as defined by local law.
 2 (b) 1. The commissioner, in consultation with with the commissioner of
 3 addiction services and supports and the commissioner of veterans'
 4 services shall establish recommended minimum qualifications for veteran
 5 peer counselors. Such recommended qualifications shall be consistent
 6 with the goals and purposes of veteran peer support services and may be
 7 based on consideration of factors including, but not limited to,
 8 completion of approved courses of study or equivalent on-the-job experi-
 9 ence in mental health counseling and/or alcoholism and substance abuse
 10 counseling, the criteria established by the United States Secretary of
 11 Veterans Affairs for appointment as a peer specialist pursuant to 38
 12 U.S.C. § 7402 (b)(13), other credentials established or recognized by
 13 the office or any other experiences, qualities or qualifications deemed
 14 necessary or desirable in a veteran peer counselor.
 15 2. The commissioner shall make the recommended minimum qualifications
 16 established pursuant to paragraph one of this subdivision publicly
 17 available and disseminate such recommended qualifications to munici-
 18 palities and other entities that provide veteran peer support services.
 19 3. The commissioner in conjunction with the commissioner of
 20 addiction services and supports and the commissioner of veterans'
 21 services shall establish procedures for providing or connecting veter