S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   3326
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 24, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by Sens. ASHBY, BORRELLO, HELMING, MATTERA, OBERACKER, PALUM-
   BO,  RHOADS,  ROLISON,  STEC,  WEBER,  WEIK  -- read twice and ordered
   printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee  on  Veter-
   ans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
 
 AN ACT to amend the military law, the state finance law, the civil prac-
   tice  law and rules, the tax law and the executive law, in relation to
   establishing the "New York's Own  combat  veterans  healthcare  choice
   program act"
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may  be  cited  as
 the "New York's Own combat veterans healthcare choice program act".
   § 2. The military law is amended by adding a new section 216-a to read
 as follows:
   § 216-A. MEDICAL CARE WHEN INJURED OR DISABLED IN COMBAT ZONE.  1. ANY
 NEW  YORK  RESIDENT  MEMBER  OF THE ORGANIZED MILITIA WHO SHALL, WHEN ON
 ACTIVE DUTY IN A COMBAT ZONE, DESIGNATED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE  UNITED
 STATES DURING OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM OR OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, FOR
 THREE  HUNDRED  SIXTY DAYS OR MORE ON ORDERS ISSUED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE
 COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE NEW YORK ARMY NATIONAL GUARD,  THE  COMMANDING
 OFFICER  OF THE NEW YORK AIR NATIONAL GUARD OR THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF
 THE NAVAL MILITIA, RECEIVE ANY WOUND OR INJURY, OR INCUR OR CONTRACT ANY
 DISABILITY OR DISEASE, BY REASON OF SUCH  DUTY,  OR  WHO  SHALL  WITHOUT
 FAULT  OR  NEGLECT  ON SUCH SERVICE MEMBER'S PART BE WOUNDED OR DISABLED
 WHILE PERFORMING ANY LAWFULLY ORDERED DUTY WHILE IN SUCH A COMBAT  ZONE,
 WHICH  SHALL  INCAPACITATE  SUCH  SERVICE  MEMBER,  AND WHO IS UNABLE TO
 RECEIVE TIMELY OR ADEQUATE HEALTHCARE SERVICES FROM THE FEDERAL  DEPART-
 MENT  OF  VETERANS  AFFAIRS WITHIN NINETY DAYS OF MAKING APPLICATION FOR
 SUCH SERVICES SHALL RECEIVE THE PAYMENT INTO SUCH SERVICE  MEMBER'S  NEW
 YORK  COMBAT  VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO
 ARTICLE FOURTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER  FOR  CARE  AND  MEDICAL  TREATMENT  IF
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD03773-01-5
              

 S. 3326                             2
 
 AUTHORITY THEREFOR IS GRANTED BY THE ADJUTANT GENERAL, EXPENSES FOR SUCH
 CARE  AND MEDICAL ATTENDANCE AS ARE NECESSARY FOR THE APPROPRIATE TREAT-
 MENT OF THE WOUND, INJURY, DISEASE OR DISABILITY MAY BE  PAID  FROM  THE
 NEW  YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE ACCOUNT AS PROVIDED IN ARTI-
 CLE FOURTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER UNTIL TREATMENT IS PROVIDED BY THE  FEDERAL
 VETERANS  ADMINISTRATION,  OR  THE INCAPACITY RESULTING FROM SUCH WOUND,
 INJURY, DISEASE OR DISABILITY CANNOT BE MATERIALLY IMPROVED  BY  FURTHER
 CARE  OR  TREATMENT. THE DETERMINATION OF WHETHER SUCH INJURY OR DISEASE
 WAS INCURRED WHILE PERFORMING SUCH LAWFULLY ORDERED  ACTIVE  DUTY  IN  A
 COMBAT  ZONE,  DESIGNATED  BY  THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES DURING
 OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM OR  OPERATION  IRAQI  FREEDOM,  SHALL  BE  IN
 ACCORDANCE  WITH  THIS SECTION AND SUCH REGULATIONS AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED
 BY THE ADJUTANT GENERAL.
   2. IF CARE FOR SUCH A SERVICE  MEMBER  IS  APPROVED  BY  THE  ADJUTANT
 GENERAL  AND  THE  SERVICE  MEMBER  SHALL HAVE CREATED A NEW YORK COMBAT
 VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE ACCOUNT IN ACCORDANCE WITH  ARTICLE  FOURTEEN
 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE STATE SHALL MAKE A PAYMENT OF FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS
 INTO  SUCH  SERVICE  MEMBER'S COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE ACCOUNT.
 SUCH PAYMENT SHALL NOT EXCEED FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN ANY CALENDAR YEAR
 AND SHALL BE DISCONTINUED UPON THE SERVICE MEMBER  RECEIVING  CARE  FROM
 THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR THE INJURIES OR DISABILI-
 TIES SUSTAINED WHILE IN QUALIFIED STATE SERVICE.
   3.  NONE  OF  THE BENEFITS PROVIDED BY SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION
 SHALL BE PAID OR ALLOWED UNLESS A CLAIM THEREFOR HAS BEEN  PRESENTED  TO
 THE  ADJUTANT GENERAL WITHIN THREE YEARS AFTER THE DATE WHEN SUCH WOUND,
 INJURY, DISEASE OR DISABILITY WAS INCURRED, OR FROM THE DATE OF  DISCOV-
 ERY  OF SUCH WOUND, INJURY, DISEASE OR DISABILITY.  NONE OF THE BENEFITS
 PROVIDED BY SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE PAID OR ALLOWED  BY
 THE STATE FOR ANY PERIOD DURING WHICH SUCH MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZED MILI-
 TIA IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE SAME AS A CHARGE AGAINST FEDERAL FUNDS.
   4.  A.  WHERE  A CLAIM IS MADE UNDER THIS SECTION THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
 WILL MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO WHETHER VALID APPLICATION OR ATTEMPT  TO
 SCHEDULE  AN APPOINTMENT TO FILE AN APPLICATION FOR CARE WAS MADE TO THE
 FEDERAL VETERANS ADMINISTRATION  AND  WHETHER  NINETY  DAYS  SHALL  HAVE
 PASSED  SINCE SUCH APPLICATION OR ATTEMPT WAS MADE. THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
 MAY CAUSE EXAMINATIONS OF THE CLAIMANT TO BE MADE FROM TIME TO TIME BY A
 PHYSICIAN, SURGEON OR DENTIST DESIGNATED FOR THE PURPOSE BY THE ADJUTANT
 GENERAL, AND THE ADJUTANT GENERAL MAY DIRECT THE REMOVAL OF  A  CLAIMANT
 TO, AND SUCH CLAIMANT'S TREATMENT IN, A HOSPITAL DESIGNATED BY THE ADJU-
 TANT GENERAL, AND IF THE CLAIMANT REFUSES TO PERMIT ANY SUCH EXAMINATION
 OR  IF  SUCH  CLAIMANT  REFUSES  TO GO TO SUCH HOSPITAL OR TO FOLLOW THE
 ADVICE GIVEN OR TREATMENT PRESCRIBED FOR  SUCH  CLAIMANT  THEREIN,  SUCH
 CLAIMANT SHALL THEREBY FORFEIT AND BE BARRED FROM ALL RIGHT TO ANY CLAIM
 OR ALLOWANCE UNDER THIS SECTION.
   B.  THE  ADJUTANT GENERAL MAY APPOINT A MEDICAL EXAMINER OR A BOARD OF
 THREE OFFICERS, AT LEAST ONE OF WHOM SHALL  BE  A  MEDICAL  OFFICER,  TO
 INQUIRE  INTO  THE MERITS OF ANY CLAIM PRESENTED UNDER THIS SECTION, AND
 TO RECOMMEND THE AMOUNT OR AMOUNTS, IF ANY, TO BE PAID OR ALLOWED  UNDER
 THIS  SECTION,  OR  THE  ADJUTANT GENERAL MAY, IN THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S
 DISCRETION, DETERMINE ANY CLAIM WITHOUT APPOINTING A MEDICAL EXAMINER OR
 BOARD AND FIX THE AMOUNT TO BE PAID OR ALLOWED UNDER THIS SECTION. IF NO
 MEDICAL OFFICER IS AVAILABLE, SUCH MEDICAL EXAMINER OR  MEDICAL  OFFICER
 ON SUCH BOARD MAY BE A CIVILIAN PHYSICIAN, SURGEON OR DENTIST.
   C. A MEDICAL EXAMINER OR BOARD APPOINTED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL HAVE
 THE  SAME  POWER TO TAKE EVIDENCE, ADMINISTER OATHS, ISSUE SUBPOENAS AND
 S. 3326                             3
 
 COMPEL WITNESSES TO ATTEND AND TESTIFY AND TO PRODUCE BOOKS AND  PAPERS,
 AND TO PUNISH THEIR FAILURE TO DO SO AS IS POSSESSED BY MILITARY COURTS.
   D.  THE  FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER OR BOARD
 SHALL  BE  SUBMITTED  TO  THE  ADJUTANT  GENERAL  WHO  MAY  RETURN   THE
 PROCEEDINGS  TO SUCH EXAMINER OR BOARD FOR RECONSIDERATION OR FOR TAKING
 FURTHER TESTIMONY AND WHO SHALL APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE THE CLAIM AND  FIX
 THE AMOUNT, IF ANY, TO BE PAID OR ALLOWED UNDER THIS SECTION. THE AMOUNT
 SO  FIXED  BY THE ADJUTANT GENERAL SHALL BE A CHARGE AGAINST AND BE PAID
 IN THE MANNER PROVIDED BY THIS SECTION, BY THE STATE.
   § 3. The military law is amended by adding a new article 14 to read as
 follows:
                                ARTICLE 14
         NEW YORK'S OWN COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE PROGRAM
 SECTION 400. PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.
         401. PURPOSE.
         402. DEFINITIONS.
         403. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMPTROLLER AND THE DIVISION.
         404. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS; NEW YORK COMBAT  VETERANS  HEALTHCARE
                CHOICE ACCOUNT.
         405.  PROGRAM  LIMITATIONS;  NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE
                CHOICE ACCOUNT.
   § 400. PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.  THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED THE NEW  YORK
 COMBAT  VETERANS  HEALTHCARE  CHOICE  PROGRAM  AND SUCH PROGRAM SHALL BE
 KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS THE "NEW YORK'S OWN COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE
 CHOICE PROGRAM".
   § 401. PURPOSE. THE PURPOSES OF THE NEW YORK COMBAT  VETERANS  HEALTH-
 CARE  CHOICE  PROGRAM  ARE  TO  AUTHORIZE  THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS
 HEALTHCARE CHOICE ACCOUNTS AND PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF
 SUCH ACCOUNTS TO:
   1. ENABLE RESIDENT VETERAN MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZED  MILITIA  OF  THIS
 STATE WHO WERE ON ACTIVE DUTY IN A COMBAT ZONE, DESIGNATED BY THE PRESI-
 DENT OF THE UNITED STATES DURING OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM OR OPERATION
 IRAQI  FREEDOM,  TO OBTAIN HEALTHCARE FROM THE PROVIDER OF THEIR CHOICE,
 WITH FUNDS FROM A NEW YORK COMBAT  VETERANS  HEALTHCARE  CHOICE  ACCOUNT
 FUNDED BY THE STATE AND THE SERVICE MEMBER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTI-
 CLE,  WHEN  AFTER  NINETY DAYS OF MAKING APPLICATION TO OR ATTEMPTING TO
 SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE  FEDERAL  VETERANS  ADMINISTRATION  FOR
 SUCH  CARE,  THE  SERVICE  MEMBER IS UNABLE TO SECURE TIMELY OR ADEQUATE
 HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR INJURIES AND DISABILITIES SUSTAINED IN THE  LINE
 OF  ACTIVE DUTY IN SUCH A COMBAT ZONE, WHENEVER ORDERED INTO SUCH COMBAT
 ZONE FOR THREE HUNDRED SIXTY DAYS OR MORE BY THE GOVERNOR, THE  COMMAND-
 ING  GENERAL OF THE NEW YORK ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, THE COMMANDING OFFICER
 OF THE NEW YORK AIR NATIONAL GUARD OR  THE  COMMANDING  OFFICER  OF  THE
 NAVAL MILITIA;
   2. PROVIDE FUNDING FROM THE STATE FOR NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTH-
 CARE  CHOICE  ACCOUNTS  IN  AN AMOUNT OF UP TO FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS PER
 CALENDAR YEAR FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED THREE YEARS, WHEN IN ACCORDANCE
 WITH THIS ARTICLE, A QUALIFIED STATE RESIDENT COMBAT VETERAN  IS  UNABLE
 TO  SECURE  HEALTHCARE SERVICES WITHIN NINETY DAYS OF MAKING APPLICATION
 OR SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT  TO  MAKE  SUCH  AN  APPLICATION  FOR  SUCH
 SERVICES FROM THE FEDERAL VETERANS ADMINISTRATION; AND
   3.  TO  CREATE  A  STATE  PERSONAL  INCOME  TAX  DEDUCTION FOR AMOUNTS
 CONTRIBUTED BY QUALIFIED RESIDENT COMBAT VETERANS TO A NEW  YORK  COMBAT
 VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE ACCOUNT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FIVE THOU-
 SAND DOLLARS PER CALENDAR YEAR AS PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE.
 S. 3326                             4
 
   § 402. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL
 HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   1.  "ACCOUNT"  OR "NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE ACCOUNT"
 SHALL MEAN AN INDIVIDUAL SAVINGS ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH
 THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE.
   2.  "ACCOUNT  OWNER"  SHALL  MEAN  A PERSON WHO ENTERS INTO A NEW YORK
 COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE  ACCOUNT  AGREEMENT  PURSUANT  TO  THE
 PROVISIONS  OF  THIS ARTICLE, INCLUDING A PERSON WHO ENTERS INTO SUCH AN
 AGREEMENT AS A FIDUCIARY OR AGENT ON BEHALF OF A TRUST, ESTATE, PARTNER-
 SHIP, ASSOCIATION, COMPANY OR CORPORATION. THE ACCOUNT OWNER MAY ALSO BE
 THE DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY OF THE ACCOUNT.
   3. "DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY" SHALL MEAN, WITH RESPECT TO AN ACCOUNT  OR
 ACCOUNTS,  THE  INDIVIDUAL DESIGNATED AS THE INDIVIDUAL WHOSE HEALTHCARE
 EXPENSES ARE EXPECTED TO BE PAID FROM THE ACCOUNT OR ACCOUNTS.
   4. "FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION" SHALL MEAN AN ORGANIZATION  AUTHORIZED  TO
 DO  BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND (A) IS AN AUTHORIZED FIDUCIARY
 TO ACT AS A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF  AN  ACT  OF  CONGRESS
 ENTITLED  "EMPLOYEE  RETIREMENT  INCOME  SECURITY  ACT  OF 1974" AS SUCH
 PROVISIONS MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, OR  AN  INSURANCE  COMPANY;
 AND  (B)(I)  IS  LICENSED  OR  CHARTERED  BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL
 SERVICES, (II) IS CHARTERED BY AN  AGENCY  OF  THE  FEDERAL  GOVERNMENT,
 (III)  IS  SUBJECT  TO THE JURISDICTION AND REGULATION OF THE SECURITIES
 AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, OR (IV) IS ANY  OTHER
 ENTITY  OTHERWISE  AUTHORIZED  TO  ACT  IN  THIS STATE AS A TRUSTEE OF A
 HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF AN ACT OF  CONGRESS
 ENTITLED THE "MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG, IMPROVEMENT, AND MODERNIZATION
 ACT", AS SUCH PROVISIONS MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME.
   5.  "ELIGIBLE  HEALTHCARE  INSTITUTION"  SHALL  MEAN  ANY  INSTITUTION
 LICENSED, CERTIFIED OR AUTHORIZED BY THE  STATE  TO  PROVIDE  HEALTHCARE
 SERVICES.
   6. "MEMBER OF FAMILY" SHALL MEAN A FAMILY MEMBER AS DEFINED IN SECTION
 529 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED.
   7. "PROGRAM" SHALL MEAN THE NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE
 ACCOUNT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
   8.  "QUALIFIED  HEALTHCARE  EXPENSES"  SHALL  MEAN ANY MEDICAL EXPENSE
 DEDUCTIBLE ON FEDERAL INCOME TAXES.
   9. "QUALIFIED STATE SERVICE" SHALL MEAN ACTIVE DUTY  SERVICE  RENDERED
 WHILE  BEING  ORDERED INTO A COMBAT ZONE, DESIGNATED BY THE PRESIDENT OF
 THE UNITED STATES DURING OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM OR  OPERATION  IRAQI
 FREEDOM,  FOR  THREE  HUNDRED  SIXTY  DAYS  OR MORE BY THE GOVERNOR, THE
 COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE NEW YORK ARMY NATIONAL GUARD,  THE  COMMANDING
 OFFICER  OF THE NEW YORK AIR NATIONAL GUARD OR THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF
 THE NAVAL MILITIA.
   10. "QUALIFIED WITHDRAWAL" SHALL MEAN A WITHDRAWAL FROM AN ACCOUNT  TO
 PAY  THE QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE EXPENSES OF A SERVICE MEMBER OR DESIGNATED
 BENEFICIARY OF AN ACCOUNT AT AN ELIGIBLE HEALTHCARE INSTITUTION.
   11. "NONQUALIFIED WITHDRAWAL" SHALL MEAN A WITHDRAWAL FROM AN  ACCOUNT
 WHICH IS NOT:
   A. A QUALIFIED WITHDRAWAL; OR
   B.  A  WITHDRAWAL MADE AS THE RESULT OF THE DEATH OR DISABILITY OF THE
 DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY OF THE ACCOUNT.
   12. "DIVISION" SHALL MEAN THE DIVISION OF MILITARY AND NAVAL AFFAIRS.
   13. "COMPTROLLER" SHALL MEAN THE STATE COMPTROLLER.
   14. "MANAGEMENT CONTRACT" SHALL MEAN  THE  CONTRACT  EXECUTED  BY  THE
 COMPTROLLER AND A FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION SELECTED TO ACT AS A DEPOSITORY
 AND MANAGER OF THE PROGRAM.
 S. 3326                             5
 
   15.  "NEW  YORK  COMBAT  VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE ACCOUNT AGREEMENT"
 SHALL MEAN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPTROLLER OR A FINANCIAL ORGANIZA-
 TION AND AN ACCOUNT OWNER.
   16.  "PROGRAM MANAGER" SHALL MEAN A FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION SELECTED BY
 THE COMPTROLLER TO ACT AS DEPOSITORY AND MANAGER OF THE PROGRAM.
   § 403. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMPTROLLER AND THE  DIVISION.  1.  THE  COMP-
 TROLLER AND THE DIVISION SHALL IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM UNDER THE TERMS AND
 CONDITIONS ESTABLISHED BY THIS ARTICLE AND A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
 RELATING TO ANY TERMS OR CONDITIONS NOT OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED FOR
 IN THIS ARTICLE.
   2. IN FURTHERANCE OF SUCH IMPLEMENTATION THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTAND-
 ING  SHALL  ADDRESS  THE AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMPTROLLER
 AND THE DIVISION TO:
   A. DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM IN A MANNER CONSISTENT  WITH  THE
 PROVISIONS  OF THIS ARTICLE THROUGH RULES AND REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED IN
 ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT;
   B. ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF CONSULTANTS ON A CONTRACT BASIS FOR  RENDER-
 ING PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE;
   C.  SEEK  RULINGS AND OTHER GUIDANCE FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT
 OF TREASURY AND THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE RELATING TO THE PROGRAM;
   D. MAKE CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM REQUIRED FOR THE  PARTICIPANTS  IN  THE
 PROGRAM  TO OBTAIN THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX BENEFITS OR TREATMENT PROVIDED
 FOR HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS;
   E. CHARGE, IMPOSE AND COLLECT ADMINISTRATIVE FEES AND SERVICE  CHARGES
 IN  CONNECTION  WITH  ANY AGREEMENT, CONTRACT OR TRANSACTION RELATING TO
 THE PROGRAM;
   F. DEVELOP MARKETING PLANS AND PROMOTION MATERIAL;
   G. ESTABLISH THE METHODS BY WHICH THE FUNDS HELD IN SUCH  ACCOUNTS  BE
 DISPERSED;
   H.  ESTABLISH  THE METHOD BY WHICH FUNDS SHALL BE ALLOCATED TO PAY FOR
 ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS; AND
   I. DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY AND PROPER TO CARRY  OUT  THE  PURPOSES  OF
 THIS ARTICLE.
   §  404.  PROGRAM  REQUIREMENTS;  NEW  YORK  COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE
 CHOICE ACCOUNT. 1. NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE  CHOICE  ACCOUNTS
 ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE GOVERNED
 BY THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
   2.  A NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE ACCOUNT MAY BE OPENED
 BY ANY PERSON WHO DESIRES TO SAVE MONEY FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE QUALIFIED
 HEALTHCARE EXPENSES OF THE DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY. AN ACCOUNT OWNER  MAY
 DESIGNATE  ANOTHER  QUALIFIED  SERVICE  MEMBER AS SUCCESSOR OWNER OF THE
 ACCOUNT IN THE EVENT OF THE DEATH OF THE ORIGINAL  ACCOUNT  OWNER.  SUCH
 PERSON  WHO  OPENS AN ACCOUNT OR ANY SUCCESSOR OWNER SHALL BE CONSIDERED
 THE ACCOUNT OWNER.
   A. AN APPLICATION FOR SUCH ACCOUNT SHALL BE IN THE FORM PRESCRIBED  BY
 THE PROGRAM AND CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING:
   (I) THE NAME, ADDRESS AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR EMPLOYER IDENTIFI-
 CATION NUMBER OF THE ACCOUNT OWNER;
   (II) THE DESIGNATION OF A DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY;
   (III)  THE NAME, ADDRESS, AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OF THE DESIGNATED
 BENEFICIARY; AND
   (IV) SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AS THE PROGRAM MAY REQUIRE.
   B. THE COMPTROLLER AND THE DIVISION MAY ESTABLISH A  NOMINAL  FEE  FOR
 SUCH APPLICATION.
   3.  ANY PERSON, INCLUDING THE ACCOUNT OWNER, MAY MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO
 THE ACCOUNT AFTER THE ACCOUNT IS OPENED.
 S. 3326                             6

   4. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACCOUNTS MAY BE MADE ONLY IN CASH.
   5.  AN ACCOUNT OWNER MAY MAKE A QUALIFIED WITHDRAWAL OF ALL OR PART OF
 THE BALANCE FROM AN ACCOUNT ON SIXTY DAYS NOTICE OR SUCH SHORTER  PERIOD
 AS MAY BE AUTHORIZED UNDER RULES GOVERNING THE PROGRAM. SUCH RULES SHALL
 INCLUDE  PROVISIONS  THAT  WILL GENERALLY ENABLE THE DETERMINATION AS TO
 WHETHER A WITHDRAWAL IS A NONQUALIFIED WITHDRAWAL OR A  QUALIFIED  WITH-
 DRAWAL.
   6.  AN  ACCOUNT  OWNER  MAY  CHANGE  THE  DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY OF AN
 ACCOUNT TO A SERVICE MEMBER WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY OF  THE  PRIOR
 DESIGNATED  BENEFICIARY IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY THE
 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF  SECTION  FOUR
 HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTICLE.
   7.  THE  PROGRAM SHALL PROVIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNTING FOR EACH DESIGNATED
 BENEFICIARY.
   8. NO ACCOUNT OWNER OR DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY OF ANY ACCOUNT SHALL  BE
 PERMITTED TO DIRECT THE INVESTMENT OF ANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO AN ACCOUNT OR
 THE EARNINGS THEREON MORE THAN TWO TIMES IN ANY CALENDAR YEAR.
   9.  NEITHER  AN  ACCOUNT OWNER NOR A DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY MAY USE AN
 INTEREST IN AN ACCOUNT AS SECURITY FOR A LOAN. ANY PLEDGE OF AN INTEREST
 IN AN ACCOUNT SHALL BE OF NO FORCE AND EFFECT.
   10. THE COMPTROLLER SHALL PROMULGATE RULES OR REGULATIONS  TO  PREVENT
 CONTRIBUTIONS  ON  BEHALF  OF  A  DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY IN EXCESS OF AN
 AMOUNT THAT WOULD CAUSE THE AGGREGATE ACCOUNT BALANCE FOR  ALL  ACCOUNTS
 FOR  A  DESIGNATED  BENEFICIARY  TO EXCEED A MAXIMUM ACCOUNT BALANCE, AS
 ESTABLISHED FROM TIME TO TIME BY THE COMPTROLLER AND THE DIVISION ON THE
 BASIS OF HEALTHCARE COSTS IN THE  STATE,  WITH  ADEQUATE  SAFEGUARDS  TO
 PREVENT  MORE  CONTRIBUTIONS THAN NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FOR THE QUALIFIED
 HEALTHCARE COSTS OF THE BENEFICIARY, AS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THE PROGRAM
 AS A "QUALIFIED HEALTH SAVINGS PROGRAM" PURSUANT TO FEDERAL LAW.
   11. A. IF THERE IS ANY DISTRIBUTION FROM AN ACCOUNT TO ANY  INDIVIDUAL
 OR  FOR  THE  BENEFIT  OF  ANY  INDIVIDUAL  DURING A CALENDAR YEAR, SUCH
 DISTRIBUTION SHALL BE REPORTED TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE  AND  THE
 ACCOUNT  OWNER,  THE  DESIGNATED  BENEFICIARY, OR THE DISTRIBUTEE TO THE
 EXTENT REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATION.
   B. STATEMENTS SHALL BE PROVIDED TO EACH ACCOUNT OWNER  AT  LEAST  ONCE
 EACH  YEAR WITHIN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE END OF THE TWELVE MONTH PERIOD TO
 WHICH THEY RELATE. THE STATEMENT SHALL IDENTIFY THE  CONTRIBUTIONS  MADE
 DURING  A PRECEDING TWELVE MONTH PERIOD, THE TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO
 THE ACCOUNT THROUGH THE END OF THE PERIOD, THE VALUE OF THE  ACCOUNT  AT
 THE  END  OF  SUCH PERIOD, DISTRIBUTIONS MADE DURING SUCH PERIOD AND ANY
 OTHER INFORMATION THAT THE COMPTROLLER SHALL REQUIRE TO BE  REPORTED  TO
 THE ACCOUNT OWNER.
   C.  STATEMENTS  AND INFORMATION RELATING TO ACCOUNTS SHALL BE PREPARED
 AND FILED TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY FEDERAL AND STATE TAX LAW.
   12. A.  A  LOCAL  GOVERNMENT  OR  ORGANIZATION  DESCRIBED  IN  SECTION
 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, MAY OPEN AND
 BECOME  THE  ACCOUNT  OWNER  OF  AN ACCOUNT TO FUND QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE
 EXPENSES FOR PERSONS WHOSE IDENTITY WILL BE  DETERMINED  UPON  DISBURSE-
 MENT.
   B.  IN  THE CASE OF ANY ACCOUNT OPENED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH A OF THIS
 SUBDIVISION THE REQUIREMENT SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION
 THAT A DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY BE DESIGNATED WHEN AN  ACCOUNT  IS  OPENED
 SHALL  NOT  APPLY  AND  EACH INDIVIDUAL WHO RECEIVES AN INTEREST IN SUCH
 ACCOUNT AS A QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE EXPENSE GRANT SHALL BE  TREATED  AS  A
 DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY WITH RESPECT TO SUCH INTEREST.
 S. 3326                             7
 
   13.  AN ANNUAL FEE MAY BE IMPOSED UPON THE ACCOUNT OWNER FOR THE MAIN-
 TENANCE OF THE ACCOUNT.
   14. THE PROGRAM SHALL DISCLOSE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IN WRITING TO
 EACH  ACCOUNT  OWNER  AND PROSPECTIVE ACCOUNT OWNER OF A NEW YORK COMBAT
 VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE ACCOUNT:
   A. THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR PURCHASING A NEW YORK COMBAT  VETERANS
 HEALTHCARE CHOICE ACCOUNT;
   B. ANY RESTRICTIONS ON THE SUBSTITUTION OF BENEFICIARIES;
   C.  THE  PERSON  OR  ENTITY  ENTITLED TO TERMINATE THE NEW YORK COMBAT
 VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE ACCOUNT AGREEMENT;
   D. THE PERIOD OF TIME DURING WHICH A BENEFICIARY MAY RECEIVE  BENEFITS
 UNDER THE NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE ACCOUNT AGREEMENT;
   E.  THE  TERMS  AND  CONDITIONS  UNDER  WHICH  MONEY  MAY BE WHOLLY OR
 PARTIALLY WITHDRAWN FROM THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY
 REASONABLE CHARGES AND FEES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED FOR WITHDRAWAL;
   F. THE PROBABLE TAX CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH CONTRIBUTIONS TO  AND
 DISTRIBUTIONS FROM ACCOUNTS; AND
   G. ALL OTHER RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS PURSUANT TO NEW YORK COMBAT VETER-
 ANS  HEALTHCARE  CHOICE  ACCOUNT AGREEMENTS, AND ANY OTHER TERMS, CONDI-
 TIONS, AND PROVISIONS DEEMED NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE BY THE  TERMS  OF
 THE  MEMORANDUM  OF  UNDERSTANDING ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO SECTION FOUR
 HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTICLE.
   15. NEW YORK COMBAT  VETERANS  HEALTHCARE  CHOICE  ACCOUNT  AGREEMENTS
 SHALL  BE  SUBJECT  TO  SECTION  FOURTEEN-C  OF  THE BANKING LAW AND THE
 "TRUTH-IN-SAVINGS" REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER.
   16. NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE OR IN ANY NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTH-
 CARE CHOICE ACCOUNT AGREEMENT ENTERED  INTO  PURSUANT  TO  THIS  ARTICLE
 SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS A GUARANTEE BY THE STATE OR ANY HEALTHCARE PROVID-
 ER  THAT A BENEFICIARY WILL BE ADMITTED TO AN ELIGIBLE HEALTHCARE INSTI-
 TUTION, OR, UPON ADMISSION TO AN ELIGIBLE HEALTHCARE INSTITUTION WILL BE
 PERMITTED TO REMAIN IN SUCH ELIGIBLE HEALTHCARE INSTITUTION.
   § 405. PROGRAM LIMITATIONS; NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE
 ACCOUNT. 1. NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO:
   A. GIVE ANY DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY ANY RIGHTS OR LEGAL  INTEREST  WITH
 RESPECT  TO  AN ACCOUNT UNLESS THE DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY IS THE ACCOUNT
 OWNER;
   B. GUARANTEE THAT A DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY  WILL  BE  ADMITTED  TO  AN
 ELIGIBLE HEALTHCARE INSTITUTION;
   C.  CREATE  STATE RESIDENCY FOR AN INDIVIDUAL MERELY BECAUSE THE INDI-
 VIDUAL IS A DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY; OR
   D. GUARANTEE THAT AMOUNTS SAVED PURSUANT TO THE PROGRAM WILL BE SUFFI-
 CIENT TO COVER THE QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE EXPENSES OF A DESIGNATED BENEFI-
 CIARY.
   2. A. NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL CREATE OR BE CONSTRUED  TO  CREATE
 ANY  OBLIGATION  OF THE COMPTROLLER, THE STATE, OR ANY AGENCY OR INSTRU-
 MENTALITY OF THE STATE TO GUARANTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANY ACCOUNT OWNER
 OR DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY WITH RESPECT TO:
   (I) THE RATE OF INTEREST OR OTHER RETURN ON ANY ACCOUNT; AND
   (II) THE PAYMENT OF INTEREST OR OTHER RETURN ON ANY ACCOUNT.
   B. THE COMPTROLLER AND  THE  DIVISION  BY  RULE  OR  REGULATION  SHALL
 PROVIDE THAT EVERY CONTRACT, APPLICATION, DEPOSIT SLIP, OR OTHER SIMILAR
 DOCUMENT  THAT  MAY  BE  USED  IN  CONNECTION  WITH A CONTRIBUTION TO AN
 ACCOUNT CLEARLY INDICATE THAT THE ACCOUNT IS NOT INSURED  BY  THE  STATE
 AND NEITHER THE PRINCIPAL DEPOSITED NOR THE INVESTMENT RETURN IS GUARAN-
 TEED BY THE STATE.
 S. 3326                             8
 
   §  4. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 82-a to
 read as follows:
   § 82-A. NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE PROGRAM TRUST FUND.
 1.  THERE  IS  HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN THE SOLE CUSTODY OF THE STATE COMP-
 TROLLER A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN  AS  THE  NEW  YORK  COMBAT  VETERANS
 HEALTHCARE  CHOICE PROGRAM TRUST FUND. ALL PAYMENTS FROM SUCH FUND SHALL
 BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE FOURTEEN OF THE MILITARY LAW AND  THE
 MEMORANDUM  OF  UNDERSTANDING ENTERED INTO PURSUANT THERETO ON THE AUDIT
 OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER.
   2. THE FUND SHALL BE A TRUST FUND AND SHALL CONSIST OF A TRUST ACCOUNT
 AND AN OPERATING  ACCOUNT.  THE  TRUST  ACCOUNT  SHALL  INCLUDE  AMOUNTS
 RECEIVED  BY  THE  NEW  YORK  COMBAT  VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE PROGRAM
 PURSUANT TO NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE  CHOICE  ACCOUNT  AGREE-
 MENTS,  ADMINISTRATIVE  CHARGES, FEES, AND ALL OTHER AMOUNTS RECEIVED BY
 THE PROGRAM FROM OTHER  SOURCES,  AND  INTEREST  AND  INVESTMENT  INCOME
 EARNED BY THE TRUST FUND. THE COMPTROLLER SHALL, FROM TIME TO TIME, MAKE
 TRANSFERS  FROM THE TRUST ACCOUNT TO THE OPERATING ACCOUNT FOR THE IMME-
 DIATE PAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS UNDER NEW YORK COMBAT  VETERANS  HEALTHCARE
 CHOICE  ACCOUNT  AGREEMENTS, OPERATING EXPENSES AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS
 OF THE NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE  ACCOUNT.  ADMINISTRA-
 TIVE  COSTS  SHALL BE PAID OUT OF THE OPERATING ACCOUNT ACCORDING TO THE
 TERMS AND CONDITIONS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION
 FOUR HUNDRED THREE OF THE MILITARY LAW.
   3.  (A)  THE  COMPTROLLER,  AS TRUSTEE, SHALL INVEST THE ASSETS OF THE
 TRUST FUND IN INVESTMENTS AUTHORIZED BY ARTICLE FOUR-A OF THE RETIREMENT
 AND SOCIAL SECURITY LAW, PROVIDED HOWEVER, THAT:
   (I) THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION  ONE
 HUNDRED  SEVENTY-SEVEN  OF  THE RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY LAW SHALL
 NOT APPLY EXCEPT FOR THE FIRST CLAUSE OF SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF SUCH PARA-
 GRAPH; AND
   (II) NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION  SEVEN  OF  SECTION
 ONE  HUNDRED  SEVENTY-SEVEN OF THE RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY LAW OR
 ANY OTHER LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE ASSETS  OF  THE  TRUST  FUND  MAY  BE
 INVESTED  IN  ANY  FUNDING  AGREEMENT  ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION
 THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THE INSURANCE LAW BY A DOMESTIC
 LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OR A FOREIGN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY  DOING  BUSI-
 NESS IN THIS STATE, SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:
   (1) SUCH A FUNDING AGREEMENT MAY PROVIDE FOR A GUARANTEED MINIMUM RATE
 OF RETURN;
   (2)  SUCH  A  FUNDING  AGREEMENT MAY BE ALLOCATED AS EITHER A SEPARATE
 ACCOUNT OR A GENERAL ACCOUNT OF  THE  ISSUER,  AS  THE  COMPTROLLER  MAY
 DECIDE;
   (3)  TOTAL INVESTMENTS OF THE TRUST FUND PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH IN
 ANY FUNDING AGREEMENTS ISSUED BY A SINGLE LIFE INSURANCE  COMPANY  WHICH
 ARE  ALLOCATED  AS  A  GENERAL  ACCOUNT  OF THE ISSUER SHALL NOT, IN THE
 AGGREGATE, EXCEED THREE HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS; AND
   (4) NO ASSETS OF THE TRUST FUND SHALL BE INVESTED IN ANY SUCH  FUNDING
 AGREEMENT  UNLESS,  AT  THE  TIME  OF SUCH INVESTMENT, THE GENERAL OBLI-
 GATIONS OR FINANCIAL STRENGTH OF THE ISSUER  HAVE  RECEIVED  EITHER  THE
 HIGHEST  OR  SECOND  HIGHEST  RATING BY TWO NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED RATING
 SERVICES OR BY ONE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED RATING  SERVICE  IN  THE  EVENT
 THAT ONLY ONE SUCH SERVICE RATES SUCH OBLIGATIONS.
   (B)  TRUST FUND ASSETS SHALL BE KEPT SEPARATE AND SHALL NOT BE COMMIN-
 GLED WITH OTHER ASSETS, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS  SECTION.  THE  COMP-
 TROLLER  MAY  ENTER  INTO CONTRACTS TO PROVIDE FOR INVESTMENT ADVICE AND
 MANAGEMENT, CUSTODIAL SERVICES, AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR  THE
 S. 3326                             9
 
 ADMINISTRATION AND INVESTMENT OF THE PROGRAM. ADMINISTRATIVE FEES, COSTS
 AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING INVESTMENT FEES AND EXPENSES, SHALL BE PAID FROM
 THE ASSETS OF THE FUND.
   4.  THE  COMPTROLLER SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRUST
 FUND,  INCLUDING  MAINTAINING  PARTICIPANT  RECORDS  AND  ACCOUNTS,  AND
 PROVIDING  ANNUAL  AUDITED  REPORTS.  THE  COMPTROLLER  MAY  ENTER  INTO
 CONTRACTS TO PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND REPORTING.
   § 5. Section 5205 of the civil practice law and rules  is  amended  by
 adding a new subdivision (q) to read as follows:
   (Q)  EXEMPTION  FOR NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE PROGRAM
 TRUST FUND PAYMENT MONIES. MONIES IN  AN  ACCOUNT  CREATED  PURSUANT  TO
 ARTICLE  FOURTEEN OF THE MILITARY LAW ARE EXEMPT FROM APPLICATION TO THE
 SATISFACTION OF A MONEY JUDGMENT.
   § 6. Subsection (b) of section 612 of the tax law is amended by adding
 a new paragraph 44 to read as follows:
   (44) DISTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED DURING THE TAXABLE YEAR BY A  DISTRIBUTION
 OF  A  NEW  YORK  COMBAT  VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED
 PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FOURTEEN OF THE MILITARY LAW,  TO  THE  EXTENT  SUCH
 DISTRIBUTIONS ARE NOT QUALIFIED WITHDRAWALS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBDI-
 VISION TEN OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED TWO OF THE MILITARY LAW.
   § 7. Subsection (c) of section 612 of the tax law is amended by adding
 two new paragraphs 48 and 49 to read as follows:
   (48) CONTRIBUTIONS MADE DURING THE TAXABLE YEAR BY AN ACCOUNT OWNER TO
 ONE  OR  MORE NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE ACCOUNTS ESTAB-
 LISHED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FOURTEEN OF THE MILITARY LAW, TO  THE  EXTENT
 NOT  DEDUCTIBLE  OR ELIGIBLE FOR CREDIT FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES,
 PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THE EXCLUSION PROVIDED FOR IN  THIS  PARAGRAPH  SHALL
 NOT EXCEED FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL OR HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD,
 AND FOR MARRIED COUPLES WHO FILE JOINT TAX RETURNS, SHALL NOT EXCEED TEN
 THOUSAND DOLLARS; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT SUCH EXCLUSION SHALL BE AVAIL-
 ABLE ONLY TO THE ACCOUNT OWNER AND NOT TO ANY OTHER PERSON.
   (49)  DISTRIBUTIONS  FROM A NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE
 ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FOURTEEN OF THE MILITARY LAW, TO
 THE EXTENT INCLUDIBLE IN GROSS INCOME FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES.
   § 8. Subsection (d) of section 658 of the tax law is amended by adding
 a new paragraph 4 to read as follows:
   (4) THE COMMISSIONER MAY BY  REGULATION  OR  INSTRUCTION  REQUIRE  THE
 FILING OF A REPORT ANNUALLY BY THE COMPTROLLER OR PROGRAM MANAGER OF THE
 NEW   YORK COMBAT VETERANS HEALTHCARE CHOICE PROGRAM, OR THEIR DESIGNEE,
 SETTING FORTH THE NAMES AND IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS  OF  ACCOUNT  OWNERS,
 DESIGNATED  BENEFICIARIES  AND  DISTRIBUTEES OF NEW YORK COMBAT VETERANS
 HEALTHCARE CHOICE PROGRAM ACCOUNTS,  THE  AMOUNTS  CONTRIBUTED  TO  SUCH
 ACCOUNTS,  THE  AMOUNTS DISTRIBUTED FROM SUCH ACCOUNTS AND THE NATURE OF
 SUCH DISTRIBUTIONS AS QUALIFIED WITHDRAWALS OR AS WITHDRAWALS OTHER THAN
 QUALIFIED WITHDRAWALS, AND ANY SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AS THE COMMISSION-
 ER MAY REQUIRE REGARDING THE TAXATION  UNDER  THIS  ARTICLE  OF  AMOUNTS
 CONTRIBUTED  TO  OR  WITHDRAWN  FROM SUCH ACCOUNTS. THE COMMISSIONER MAY
 REQUIRE THAT ANY SUCH REPORT ALSO BE MADE TO THE ACCOUNT  OWNER,  DESIG-
 NATED BENEFICIARY OR DISTRIBUTEE OF ANY SUCH ACCOUNT.
   §  9.  Section  190  of  the  executive law is amended by adding a new
 subdivision 6 to read as follows:
   6. THE DIVISION OF MILITARY AND  NAVAL  AFFAIRS  SHALL  ESTABLISH  AND
 MAINTAIN  A  VOLUNTARY  REGISTRY  OF  STATE  RESIDENTS WHO ARE HONORABLY
 DISCHARGED VETERANS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED  STATES,  AND  WHO
 SERVED  ON  REGULAR ACTIVE DUTY (OTHER THAN FOR TRAINING) DURING PART OF
 ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PERIODS:
 S. 3326                            10
 
   (A) FROM SEPTEMBER EIGHTEENTH, TWO THOUSAND ONE UNTIL THE END  OF  THE
 UNITED STATES MILITARY EFFORTS IN AFGHANISTAN; OR
   (B)  FROM  OCTOBER  SIXTEENTH,  TWO  THOUSAND TWO UNTIL THE END OF THE
 UNITED STATES MILITARY EFFORTS IN IRAQ.
   THE INFORMATION IN SUCH REGISTRY SHALL BE DEEMED CONFIDENTIAL, AND MAY
 ONLY BE ACCESSED BY SUCH VETERAN FOR PURPOSES OF PROOF OF SUCH VETERAN'S
 MILITARY SERVICE.
   § 10. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to  taxa-
 ble years beginning after December 31, 2026.