* 1. A local veterans' service agency shall have power under the direction of the state veterans' service agency, and it shall be its duty to inform military and naval authorities of the United States and assist members of the uniformed services and veterans, who are residents of this state, and their families, in relation to (1) matters pertaining to educational training and retraining services and facilities, (2) health, medical and rehabilitation services and facilities, (3) provisions of federal, state and local laws and regulations affording special rights and privileges to members of the uniformed services and veterans and their families, (4) employment and re-employment services, including the employment of veterans with disabilities program under section fifty-five-c of the civil service law, (5) the process of submitting an application for a discharge upgrade to the discharge upgrade advisory board, and (6) other matters of similar, related or appropriate nature. The local veterans' service agency may also assist families of members of the reserve components of the uniformed services 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 and are placed in contact with the agencies responsible for such support, including, but not limited to, the division of military and naval affairs and other state agencies responsible for providing such support. The local veterans' service agency also shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the state commissioner. * NB Effective until March 19, 2026 * 1. A local veterans' service agency shall have power under the direction of the state veterans' service agency, and it shall be its duty to inform military and naval authorities of the United States and assist members of the uniformed services and veterans, who are residents of this state, and their families, in relation to (1) matters pertaining to educational training and retraining services and facilities, (2) health, medical and rehabilitation services and facilities, (3) provisions of federal, state and local laws and regulations affording special rights and privileges to members of the uniformed services and veterans and their families, (4) employment and re-employment services, including the employment of veterans with disabilities program under section fifty-five-c of the civil service law, (5) the process of submitting an application for a discharge upgrade to the discharge upgrade advisory board, (6) volunteer opportunities at the department and volunteer fire departments or emergency services providers, and (7) other matters of similar, related or appropriate nature. The local veterans' service agency may also assist families of members of the reserve components of the uniformed services 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 and are placed in contact with the agencies responsible for such support, including, but not limited to, the division of military and naval affairs and other state agencies responsible for providing such support. The local veterans' service agency also shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the state commissioner. * NB Effective March 19, 2026

1. 2. A local veterans' service agency shall utilize, so far as possible, the services and facilities of existing officers, offices, departments, 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 local veterans' service agency as it may require.