§ 7. Information on status of veterans receiving assistance.
Departments, divisions, bureaus, boards, commissions and agencies of the
state and political subdivisions thereof, which provide assistance,
treatment, counseling, care, supervision or custody in service areas
involving health, mental health, family services, criminal justice or
employment, including but not limited to the office of addiction
services and supports, office of mental health, office of probation and
correctional alternatives, office of children and family services,
office of temporary and disability assistance, department of health,
department of labor, local workforce investment boards, office for
people with developmental disabilities, and department of corrections
and community supervision, shall request assisted persons to provide
information with regard to their veteran status and military
experiences. Individuals identifying themselves as veterans shall be
advised that the department of veterans' services and local veterans'
service agencies established pursuant to section fourteen of this
article provide assistance to veterans regarding benefits under federal
and state law. Information regarding veterans status and military
service provided by assisted persons solely to implement this section
shall be protected as personal confidential information under article
six-A of the public officers law against disclosure of confidential
material, and used only to assist in the diagnosis, treatment,
assessment and handling of the veteran's problems within the agency
requesting such information and in referring the veteran to the
department of veterans' services for information and assistance with
regard to benefits and entitlements under federal and state law.