New York Governor Signs Veterans Employment Act Into Law

Author: Marta Moakley, XpertHR Legal Editor

January 21, 2014

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law the Veterans' Employment Act, which will give veterans preference in being hired for temporary state jobs. This staffing decision affects the for-profit temporary employment services agencies that had usually filled the state employers' contingent employee needs while civil workers were on vacation or leave.

The Act addresses the relatively high unemployment rates encountered by military veterans upon their return home. With the veteran population expected to grow by approximately 44,000 in New York State over the next five years, the Veterans Employment Act seeks to create a source for jobs for those returning or retiring from uniformed service.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Gregory Ball, chairman of the New York Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee (Bill S. 5504A) and Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (Bill A. 7761). Senator Ball praised the law and the governor in a press release, stating that "This new law will help lead our unemployed veterans into the workforce. I would like to thank the Governor for his support of this legislation to help put our veterans back to work."

The act was strongly supported by the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), a union that represents New York public agency workers. The CSEA argued that hiring veterans for temporary positions, rather than filling staffing shortages through the services of for-profit agencies in every instance, would not only address the job shortage for veterans, but also become a good employee development tool and aid with the state's succession planning.

Currently, private businesses in New York enjoy tax credits and other economic incentives for hiring veterans. In addition, government contractors often have affirmative action obligations with respect to military veterans.

The law will go into effect on July 10, 2014. It will be codified as Article 17-A of the New York Executive Law.