Below are bills co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Buttenschon signed by the Governor this month. As many bills were not signed, I remain committed and will continue to advocate for all bills I support.

First Responders & Law Enforcement

The "Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act" - Establishing a Law Enforcement Peer-to-Peer Support Program (A.6721A)

Known as the Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act, this transformative piece of legislation establishes a confidential peer support program for law enforcement officers. Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D–119), a proud co-sponsor, praised the bill as a compassionate and essential step toward addressing the mental health challenges faced by police officers across New York.

The legislation ensures that law enforcement personnel have access to trained peer counselors, fellow officers who can offer emotional support after exposure to trauma, while maintaining strict confidentiality, except in cases that pose a risk to safety. This model, inspired by the bipartisan federal COPS Counseling Act, is designed to reduce stigma and increase access to support, especially in the wake of critical incidents.

“This legislation stands as a powerful legacy in Lieutenant Joseph Banish's name and reflects the courageous advocacy of his family,” said Buttenschon. “Day-in and day-out, our officers face danger, heartbreak, and trauma, with many often doing so in silence. By establishing confidential peer support programs, we can help prevent tragedy and ensure officers have a safe space to process the trauma they experience in the line of duty.”

The act is named in honor of Lieutenant Joseph Banish, a respected New York State Trooper who tragically died by suicide. His family has since dedicated themselves to mental health advocacy, and this bill stands as a legacy of hope, healing, and proactive care in his name.

The peer support program will be overseen by the Division of Criminal Justice Services and ensures that police departments across the state can designate and train peer counselors while respecting the boundaries of privacy and legal obligations. The legislation also includes provisions for training, certification, and clarity on when disclosures are legally or ethically required.

Establishing Property Tax Exemptions for Surviving Spouses of Fallen Law Enforcement Officers (A.3729)

Mirroring the pre-established property tax exemptions currently awarded to other first responders, and the surviving spouses of fallen first responders (EMS and firefighters), the new law, now Chapter 670 of the Laws of 2025, co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Buttenschon and introduced by Assemblymember Jamie Williams (D-59), establishes eligibility for surviving spouses of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Under the new law, individual localities will now be permitted to offer through local laws, ordinances, etc, real property tax exemptions of up to fifty percent to surviving spouses. The legislation extends equity and compassion to these families, who were previously ineligible to receive property tax exemption benefits.

“This bill is about fairness and compassion,” said Buttenschon. “The measure ensures we stand by their families with more than just words during their darkest hours.”

This act shall take effect January 1st, 2026.

Developing a Roadmap for Statewide Improvements to EMS Service (A.8086A)

Now Chapter 703 of the Laws of 2025, the purpose of new law, introduced by Assemblymember Steven Otis (D-91) and co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, is to provide a county-by-county service and coverage assessment that will provide a roadmap for statewide improvements to the provision of EMS services going forward. In coordination with their regional emergency medical services council, this legislation requires counties and their municipalities within to develop a comprehensive plan to provide for improved upon emergency medical system coverage and coordination within that county. Such plans shall include, assessments of the existing level and coverage of EMS services in each area of the county, a plan to increase or provide service where current shortfalls exist, and a determination as to what organizational structure will be utilized to provide such service as well as a cost estimate. Once completed, the plans will be submitted to the state Department of Health and EMS Council for feedback, and provide a roadmap to the state for county-by-county statewide service improvements.

“With staffing pressures increasing amongst our EMS and first responders, and response times growing in areas across the state,” said Buttenschon, “we must ensure that both the needs of our residents are fully met, and that our first responders have clear guidance to ensure consistent coverage.”

This act shall take effect immediately.

Health

Kratom Safety Package to Protect New Yorkers from Unregulated Substances A.2340A & A.5852A

Key provisions of the new laws A.2340 & A.5852 include:

● The prohibition of kratom product sales to individuals under the age of twenty-one (A. 2340A).

● Requiring purchasers to show identification to retailers confirming their adult status (A.2340A).

● Requiring manufacturers to display a visible warning label (A.5852A).

● Requiring retailers and sellers to post signage about the prohibition of kratom (A2340A).

● Establishing a civil penalty of up to $500 per violation of the new purchase age requirements (A2340A).

“Kratom is being knowingly marketed to vulnerable people as a natural, harmless remedy, when in reality, it can have devastating and even deadly effects,” stated Assemblywoman Buttenschon. “No parent should potentially lose a child because a product didn’t come with a clear warning. This signing is a step toward truth, transparency, and accountability for manufacturers.”

Veterans Affairs

Expanding the Veterans Tuition Awards Program (VTAP) to Allow Scholarship Transfers to Immediate Family Members (A.3240A) - The "Veteran Family Educational Attainment Act."

With over 700,000 veterans residing in the state of New York, the Veterans Tuition Award Program (VTAP) has assisted countless veterans to pursue their educational and career goals upon their return from service. Under this new legislation, qualifying veterans who have not yet claimed or do not plan to claim their eligible VTAP benefits, will now have the option of transferring their VTAP education benefits to an immediate family member or dependent if they choose to do so. Drafted in recognition of the sacrifices made by veterans in service of our nation, this legislation seeks to extend such recognition upon the shared sacrifice of veteran families, by way of easing their financial burdens associated with higher education.

“When I expanded VTAP to include non-combat veterans, I did so believing that all those who served our great nation deserve the opportunity for higher education,” Buttenschon said. “Today’s expansion to allow for scholarship transfers is about recognizing an integral aspect of that service, that they don’t do it alone. When a veteran serves, their families serve alongside them. By allowing our veterans to pass along their deserved benefits, we are ensuring their sacrifice creates lasting opportunities for the people they love.”

This act shall take effect July 1st, 2026.

Establishing Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans with a 100 percent Service Connected Disability (A.074)

This legislation represents a critical step toward honoring the sacrifices of New York's most severely disabled veterans by providing meaningful financial relief that recognizes the extraordinary challenges they face. When a veteran obtains a disability while in service to our country, it may leave them unable to work and provide for themselves and their families. This act would allow local governments to enact complete real property tax exemptions for these heroic veterans to lower their financial burden and increase the quality of life for those who sacrificed for our freedoms.

“These veterans deserve comprehensive support from the state they defended. This legislation is about upholding dignity, security, and providing tangible recognition of their service, for which they gave all of themselves in protection of us,” said Buttenschon.

Modernizing and Protecting Electronic Bell Jar Vending Machines (A.7475B).

The purpose of the new law, now Chapter 697 of the Laws of 2025, is to address on-going operational challenges faced by VFW and American Legion posts throughout New York State. A fixture of VFWs and Legions for decades, these organizations have long relied on bell jar vending machines as an essential source of revenue to support their charitable work serving local veterans in need. However, as recent years have witnessed the aging and decline of volunteer membership, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain the manual reporting and monitoring required by traditional paper-based machines. Electronic bell jar machines function similarly to lottery scratch-off dispensers, with tickets dispensed from a pre-loaded roll and scanned by the machine. Unlike slot machines, no computer or digital assistance determines the outcome of each play, as the results are predetermined in each stack of loaded tickets. The protected operation of these modernized machines serves to reduce the administrative burden on volunteer staff, while maintaining the integrity and entertainment value of the charitable gaming system.

“Our veterans organizations serve our communities with dedication and compassion day-in and day-out”, said Assemblywoman Buttenschon. “This legislation provides these posts the tools they need to continue their charitable missions with administrative ease, allowing them to focus on what matters most, serving our veterans.”

Key provisions of the new law include:

● Permitting the use of electronic bell jar vending machines; streamlining operations through the automation of required reporting; requires electronic reporting to the state Gaming Commission for transparency and accountability.

● Maintains the requirement that only volunteer members can administer the machines.

● Establishes scaled installation limitations, providing for a maximum of five machines for posts with more than 300 members.

● Limits display graphics and sounds to distinguish them from traditional slot machines.

Assemblywoman Buttenschon, a steadfast advocate for veterans’ affairs, emphasized the importance of the new bi-partisan legislation:

“Bell jar machines have been a staple in posts for years,” commented Buttenschon. “Modernizing the process ensures the future of charitable gaming, while preserving the pastime of bell-jar lottery games.”

This act shall take effect immediately.

Increasing Awareness of Voluntary Opportunities for Veterans (A.8485)

Upon returning from active duty service, many of our veterans seek to continue that service within their communities. However, oftentimes they may not know how to start the process of doing so. At the same time, many volunteer fire and emergency service departments across the state are facing critical member shortages, and have been exploring new recruitment methods and awareness campaigns. This legislation seeks to help alleviate both quandaries by requiring the State Department of Veterans’ Services to publish information and relevant application forms regarding volunteer opportunities with emergency service providers on their website employment portal, therefore increasing awareness of these continuing service opportunities amongst our veterans and expanding the pool of ready, available, and qualified volunteer candidates to the departments.

“Many veterans seek volunteer service opportunities upon their return as a way to both reintegrate themselves into and give back to the communities they fought to protect,” said the Assemblywoman. “Increasing awareness about service opportunities within our emergency service departments can do just that, and offer our veterans a supportive community dedicated to serving and protecting their hometown communities.”