On Veterans Day, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein’s (D-Bayside) legislation that allows military families relocating to New York State to enroll their children in school at the same time as their peers and prior to physically arriving in the neighborhood. Assemblyman Braunstein’s district includes Fort Totten, located in Bay Terrace, Queens. The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Senator James Skoufis.

“As we honor those who serve our country this Veterans Day, I'm proud to see this bill to simplify school enrollment for military families signed into law,” said Assemblyman Edward Braunstein.“This legislation will help to alleviate the unique school enrollment challenges faced by military families and offer their children the best possible educational experience while they call New York State home. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this bill and Senator Skoufis for his partnership on this effort.”

The U.S. Department of Defense estimates that the average child in a military family will move six to nine times during a school career. This measure has the support of the Department, which previously wrote in a memorandum of support, “With over 16,500 active duty military school-age children attending school in this state, New York is in a unique position to have a positive effect on the educational experiences of military children and families by enacting this legislation.”

This new law takes effect immediately. The bill was signed as part of a package of several pieces of legislation to support and protect veterans and their families.

"Our active service members and veterans have served a high calling to protect our democracy and freedoms, and now it is our turn to support them and their families," said Governor Hochul. "By signing these bills into law today, we are taking steps to ensure veterans and active duty military members have the benefits and resources they need, and the flexibility their circumstances require, to best take care of themselves and their families. New York's veterans stood up for us, and we will continue to stand by them."