Provides for legal assistance for military families

Latest action Mar 17, 2026

Provides that the attorney general, in consultation with the adjutant general and the chair of the board of trustees of the New York interest on lawyer account fund, establish a military pro bono program to provide legal assistance without charge to those in active military service of the United States and those military personnel who have been deployed for active duty other than training, and their family members domiciled or stationed in the state; makes related provisions.

Not chosen yet

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A164, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Military Law.

Committee

Governmental Operations · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

Section 1: the bill amends the military law by adding a new section 15-a which would provide pro bono legal services for active duty members of the military and their families. This provision is an expansion of the current pro-bono legal services funded by the state's IOLA account. Section 2: Amends paragraph c of subdivision 3 of section 97-v of the state finance law to include legal services for military personnel and their families as eligible for funds from the state IOLA account.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Committee vote · Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs
Senate Veterans, Homeland Security And Military AffairsMar 17, 2026Result: passed
(9) (0) (0) (0)
Vote: Committee vote · Finance
Senate FinanceMay 13, 2025Result: passed
(22) (0) (0) (0)
Vote: Committee vote · Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs
Senate Veterans, Homeland Security And Military AffairsMar 4, 2025Result: passed
(9) (0) (0) (0)

Cosponsors

Michelle Hinchey

Democratic1

Michelle Hinchey

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Jessica Scarcella-Spanton says this is needed

This bill would provide much needed legal relief for military families and active military personnel. While service members and their families have access to military legal assistance to advice and assistance, many have to pay for and obtain their own counsel. This bill would help by creating a pro bono legal program that can connect qualified attorneys with service members and their families. This program would provide assistance to those who have served our coun- try, as well as their families. By ensuring pro bono legal represen- tation to military personnel and their families, New York State can continue to give back to our brave veterans and service families.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Mar 17, 2026
Reported out of committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
NY Senate
Jun 13, 2025
In committee
COMMITTED TO RULES
NY Senate
May 15, 2025
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate

Show full history (5 earlier events)

May 14, 2025
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate
May 13, 2025
1ST Report CAL.1043
1ST REPORT CAL.1043
NY Senate
Mar 4, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
NY Senate
Feb 6, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
NY Senate
Jan 8, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
NY Assembly

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 1, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

Your position