Signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes protections for LGBTQ veterans who were dishonorably discharged.

Highlights:

• Defines “qualifying conditions” as the diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder, or the experience of military sexual trauma by an individual licensed to provide veteran care by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that any veteran having served from December 14, 1941 - August 14, 1945, who meets the following requirements, will now receive full disability benefits on behalf of the Veterans Administration (Sec. 5):

• Any veteran discharged under honorable circumstances with qualifying conditions;

• Any veteran discharged under circumstances other than bad conduct or dishonorable; 

• Is an LGBT veteran discharged under circumstances other than bad conduct or dishonorable; 

• Establishes that the law will take effect immediately after gubernatorial signage (Sec. 82).

Full Bill Text