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As used in this chapter, the following term has the following meaning:
Veteran. The term "veteran" means a person who serves or has served in the active military service, including the navy, coast guard, air force, marines, army, space force, and their respective national guard or reserve components, regardless of discharge status or time served. "Veteran" also means a person who serves or has served in the United States public health service or as a commissioned member of the national oceanic and atmospheric administration.
(L.L. 2015/113, 12/10/2015, eff. 4/8/2016; Am. L.L. 2022/019, 1/9/2022, eff. 5/9/2022)
a. Except as otherwise provided by law, the commissioner shall have such powers as provided by the commissioner of the state department of veterans' services and shall have the duty to inform military and naval authorities of the United States and assist members of the armed forces and veterans, who are residents of the city, and their families, in relation to: (1) matters pertaining to educational training and retraining services and facilities, (2) health, medical and rehabilitation service and facilities, (3) provisions of federal, state and local laws and regulations affording special rights and privileges to members of the armed forces and veterans and their families, (4) employment and re-employment services, and (5) other matters of similar, related or appropriate nature. The commissioner shall also assist families of members of the reserve components of the armed forces and the organized militia ordered into active duty to ensure that they are made aware of and are receiving all appropriate support available to them. The department also shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the state commissioner of the department of veterans' services.
b. The commissioner shall utilize, so far as possible, the services, commissions, boards, bureaus, institutions and other agencies of the state and of the political subdivisions thereof and all such officers and agencies shall cooperate with and extend such services and facilities to the department as it may require.
(L.L. 2015/113, 12/10/2015, eff. 4/8/2016; Am. 2019 N.Y. Laws Ch. 56, 4/12/2019, eff. 4/12/2019; Am. 2022 N.Y. Laws Ch. 56, 4/9/2022, eff. 4/1/2022)
a. There shall be a veterans' advisory board consisting of 13 members, 11 of whom shall be veterans and two of whom shall be immediate family members, spouses or domestic partners, survivors, or caregivers of veterans. Of these 13 members, seven shall be appointed by the mayor, including one immediate family member, spouse or domestic partner, survivor or caregiver of a veteran, and six shall be appointed by the speaker of the council, including one immediate family member, spouse or domestic partner, survivor or caregiver of a veteran. Of these 13 members, there shall be at least one representative from each of the five boroughs of the city of New York. The mayor and the speaker shall each consider service in conflicts involving members of the United States armed forces when making such appointments.
b. All members shall serve for a term of three years and may be removed by the appointing official for cause. Members of the advisory board shall elect by majority vote one such member to serve as chair and one such member to serve as vice chair, each to serve in that capacity for one-year terms. In the event of a vacancy on the advisory board during the term of office of a member by reason of removal, death, resignation, or otherwise, a successor shall be chosen in the same manner as the original appointment within 120 days from the date such vacancy occurred. A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the balance of the unexpired term.
c. The advisory board shall:
1. Advise the commissioner on all matters concerning veterans;
2. Hold at least one meeting open to the public in each borough on an annual basis, with notice of each public meeting provided in accordance with the public notice requirements of article 7 of the public officers law except with respect to those requirements provided in section 31-105 of the administrative code, and with each public meeting recorded and broadcast in accordance with subdivision d of section 1063 of the charter;
3. Keep a record of its deliberations;
4. Determine its own rules of procedure; and
5. Submit an annual report of its activities to the mayor and the council on or before December 31 of each year. Such annual report should include policy and legislative recommendations for the department of veterans' services and the council.
d. The department shall maintain on its website and regularly update a list of all members appointed to serve on the veterans' advisory board, including information about each member's term, appointing official and any additional information deemed by the department to be relevant.
(L.L. 2015/113, 12/10/2015, eff. 4/8/2016; Am. L.L. 2022/019, 1/9/2022, eff. 5/9/2022)