Governor Cuomo signed five pieces of legislation yesterday, aiming to improve healthcare and services for veterans.
"We honor our veterans, but we have to get to the place where we remember that the honor is not one day a year, but 365 days a year, and part of that is showing the same level of commitment and gratitude to our veterans, as our veterans showed to this nation."
The bills include allowing medical marijuana for treatment of PTSD.
"Many of our veterans are suffering from PTSD, and the medical community has determined that marijuana can be a helpful treatment in some areas, and part of our committment to do everything we can do if there are veterans who are suffering, and we can make a treatment available, we want to."
The Governor went on to say this treatment could help thousands of New York State veterans.
Also included was legislation, allowing veterans employed by the state to receive additional paid leave to obtain health, counseling, and other benefits, and to have fees waived to take civil service exams.
A public list was also defined for not-for-profit corporations that solicit funds for armed forces.
It will also set aside a POW/MIA chair and plaque at the state capitol to honor veterans who have not yet returned home.
Statewide, veterans will also now be able to choose a license plate that shows their branch of service.
Governor Cuomo unveiled the plates at the Veteran's Day Parade in New York City.
"As a symbol of our appreciation in the state of New York for veterans, we're starting a new series of license plates, what we call the, "Honor Series," and a New York State veteran, there are 770,000 veterans in New York State, can now get a special license plate that honors their service."
The custom plates are branch-specific and join other plates offered in the Veteran and Military Series, including the Purple Heart Recipient, the Vietnam Veteran, and the War on Terror Veteran license plates.
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