Galef Applauds Legislation to Establish Board of Visitors Policy

Assemblywoman Galef applauds the New York State Assembly’s passage of legislation to improve the procedure for filling vacancies on the Board of Visitors for State veteran’s homes on January 22, 2018.

The Boards of Visitors are vital for State run veterans’ homes to function at full capacity. The Boards of Visitors serve as ambassadors for these homes and have many roles. These roles include monitoring the administration of the home, recruiting residents through presentations to local veterans’ organizations, soliciting funds through contributions from veterans’ organizations, participating in monthly Resident Council meetings, financing and arranging off-site activities, as well as being present within the home to receive feedback from residents and staff.

Currently, the Boards of Visitors at two New York State Veterans’ Homes have a number of vacancies that preclude them from functioning as they do not have enough members to form a quorum. Governor Cuomo appoints new members to these boards of visitors. Additionally, current members are serving in a holdover capacity even though the statute provides that their terms should only be for a period of five years. This bill, introduced by Assemblyman Anthony D’Urso and Senator Thomas Croci, and co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (A.8603/S.6144A) amends the public health law, making it possible for New York State Veterans’ Homes to appoint interim members if a nomination is not made by the Governor within 270 days of the vacancy occurring.

Assemblywoman Galef said: “I am glad to see this legislation pass in the Assembly to allow the Boards of Visitors to function as they were intended. They provide a very important service to the many veterans in the care of homes across the state, and must be allowed to carry out their responsibilities unhindered by a lack of board members. I am a proud co-sponsor on this bill and will continue to advocate for it as it moves through the Senate.”

Mr. Freemont Reif, the secretary treasurer for the Board of Visitors at the New York State Veterans’ Home at Montrose stated that, “these homes are a service that these veterans need and that this is a wonderful bill.”

Mr. William Mahan, the vice-president for the Board of Visitors at the New York State Veterans’ Home at Montrose stated that the bill “will allow us to fill our three vacancies and be very beneficial to the New York State Veterans’ Home at Montrose. This is an all-encompassing benefit for all of the homes throughout the State.”