
Governor Kathy Hochul has laid out a comprehensive set of proposals intended to bolster support for New York's first responders, veterans, and crime victims. Announced as part of her 2025 State of the State address, these initiatives promise sweeping reforms to recruitment and training of public safety officers while also attending to the mental health and well-being of those who have served.
"We all owe an enormous debt to the first responders who put on a uniform each day to serve the communities they love," Governor Hochul said in a statement obtained by the official website of New York State. Expanding on the existing support structures, she aims to open more pathways into public service and resolve the mental health support deficit for veterans and first responders.
Key to her initiative is the First Responder Counseling Scholarship Program initiated through the State University of New York (SUNY). This aims to tackle the lack of counselors trained to understand first responders by facilitating their education in the field. The program will ask participants to commit to serving their peers in New York State, post-graduation.
Hochul's plan also targets antiquated recruitment procedures that thin the ranks of qualified public safety applicants. Proposals to raise the New York State Police retirement age to 63 and lift the 35-year-old maximum age restriction, for law enforcement recruitment, will diversify the recruitment pool.
To support the state's volunteer fire services, the Governor has pledged additional funding for the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure and Response Equipment Grant Program (V-FIRE). This investment is significant for the over 45 percent of New Yorkers protected by volunteer fire departments. These funds are intended to renovate or construct fire stations adequately and obtain modern firefighting equipment.
On the legislative front, Governor Hochul will propose a ban on sales of firefighter gear containing PFAS in New York by 2028. This move recognizes the health risks associated with PFAS substances and aims to ensure firefighter gear is as safe as possible.
Furthermore, in response to mass violence incidents, a new Mass Violence Crisis Response Team will be established to coordinate immediate assistance for survivors and communities in the wake of such tragedies. The team will operate through the Office of Victim Services (OVS) and partner with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES).
Turning attention to crime victims, the Governor is looking to increase compensation for scam victims, raise funeral reimbursement caps, and expand crime scene cleanup coverage. Child Advocacy Centers will also see a doubling in funds to help young crime victims and their families navigate the aftermath of crime.
Addressing the mental health of New York's veterans, additional funds will be allocated to enhance suicide prevention initiatives. This includes more comprehensive risk assessment training and access to tele-mental health services for veterans across the state.
To conclude, Governor Hochul seeks to expand the Gold Star Parent Annuity Program to include all immediate family members of service members who pass away during active duty. This, along with new commemorative license plates for Gold Star families, represents the state's commitment to honoring the sacrifices made by military families.