(WNY News Now) In her 2025 State of the State address, Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a comprehensive package of initiatives aimed at bolstering support for New York’s first responders, veterans, and crime victims. Through recruitment, mental health resources, and financial support for people who serve and defend the state’s communities, these new efforts aim to improve public safety.
In her 2025 State of the State address, Governor Kathy Hochul yesterday presented a number of initiatives to support veterans and victims of crime, increase training and recruitment resources, and safeguard first responders. In order to boost the number of first responders serving our communities and providing them with mental health resources and training, the governor put forth new measures. The governor also suggested more assistance for victims of crime and additional programs to help additional York’s veterans.
Governor Hochul stated that we all owe a great deal to the first responders who wear a uniform every day to serve the communities they care about.With new programs that provide opportunities for public service, offer vital support to veterans and first responders, and increase aid for Gold Star families, I’m prioritizing the safety and security of our communities.
Assisting First Responders
Starting a Scholarship Program for First Responder Counseling
First responders deal with particular mental health issues, yet gaps in care are caused by a lack of counselors who know the responder community. There are fewer culturally competent mental health specialists available because first responders are sometimes discouraged from getting counseling degrees due to financial constraints. Governor Hochul will use the State University of New York (SUNY) to implement the First Responder Counseling Scholarship Program in order to address this. In addition to providing micro-credentials in subjects like peer support leadership and trauma-informed care, this program will assist first responders who are pursuing counseling degrees. Recipients of the scholarship will pledge to work as counselors in New York State, establishing a long-term pool of mental health specialists who are specially qualified to assist the responder community.
Removing Antiquated Obstacles in Public Safety Hiring
Public safety organizations’ capacity to draw in competent applicants is hampered by antiquated hiring practices, which exclude people with significant expertise and exacerbate personnel shortages. Governor Hochul will update occupational criteria in order to provide more opportunities for eligible applicants. This entails abolishing the 35-year-old upper age limit for law enforcement hiring, extending the retirement age for the New York State Police to 63, and permitting non-New Yorkers to apply for jobs as correctional officers. By making these adjustments, agencies will be able to select from a larger and more varied pool of candidates.
Increasing Educational Routes to Careers in Public Service
Because of mismatched training programs and few possibilities for progression, many New Yorkers are discouraged from pursuing jobs in public safety. In order to grant academic credit for public safety training programs and incorporate them into degree pathways, Governor Hochul will collaborate with SUNY and the City University of New York (CUNY). Through these initiatives, more people will be interested in jobs in public safety, and those who are already employed in the field will have prospects for growth.
Securing Extra Funding for the Grant Program for Volunteer Fire Infrastructure and Response Equipment
More than 45% of New Yorkers are protected by volunteer fire services, yet many departments lack the equipment and facilities needed for contemporary firefighting. Both firefighter safety and operational readiness are at danger due to outdated equipment and aged facilities. The V-FIRE grant program will get more funds thanks to Governor Hochul, enabling departments to build or repair conforming fire stations that are outfitted to serve a workforce that is becoming more diverse.
Using Improved Safety Equipment to Keep Firefighters Safe
Despite extreme heat and dangerous conditions, our courageous firefighters bravely put their lives at danger to safeguard our neighborhoods. They use specialist protective equipment made to resist high temperatures and repel oil and water in order to protect these heroes. Unfortunately, the growing pollutant per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been confined for years by this crucial equipment. Even as we continue to work to minimize the release of this contamination into New York’s air, lands, and waters, new information has emerged about the possible risks of PFAS exposure, raising questions for our firefighters’ long-term health and safety. Governor Hochul will propose legislation to prohibit the sale of firefighting gear containing PFAS in the state, acknowledging the necessity to safeguard the environment and our firefighters. This step would lessen the possible negative effects of these substances on the environment and public health while ensuring that our firemen have access to the best and safest protective gear available. The law will go into effect in 2028.
Forming a Crisis Response Team for Mass Violence
Incidents of mass violence, like as the Buffalo Tops grocery shooting in 2022, have highlighted weaknesses in New York State’s capacity to offer victims and survivors prompt assistance. The need for a more efficient response has been brought to light by funding delays for emergencies, restricted access to mental health treatments, and insufficient funds for necessities. In order to tackle these issues, Governor Hochul will form a Mass Violence Crisis Response Team, which will be headed by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and the Office of Victim Services (OVS). Following such incidents, this team will make sure that survivors and their communities receive prompt, well-coordinated help, attending to their urgent needs.
Putting Money Into Crime Victim Resources
Increasing Victim Support Services to Safeguard At-Risk Groups
The existing victim services program in New York provides necessary assistance, but it is insufficient to satisfy the needs of families of homicide victims and the financial abuse of elderly and disabled persons. Restrictive qualifying requirements, antiquated reimbursement caps, and current compensation limitations make it difficult to provide vulnerable populations with meaningful support. Governor Hochul suggests expanding coverage of crime scene cleanup, hiking funeral reimbursement caps, boosting compensation for scam victims, and removing obstacles like the consideration of contributory conduct in order to address these problems.
Providing the Best Support Possible for Child Victims of Crime
Every parent’s biggest nightmare is seeing their child become the victim of a crime, particularly if the act is violent. When that occurs, families have to balance protecting their young loved one from having to relive the trauma and crime while simultaneously supporting the pursuit of justice. For children who have been the victims of abuse, neglect, or criminal activity, Child Advocacy Centers offer a kid-friendly, secure, and encouraging atmosphere. A multidisciplinary team of specialists provides victim advocacy, mental health support, and specialized medical examinations to children and their loved ones. In order to guarantee that children receive assistance and support, they will have a single advocate who works with them and their family throughout the entire process. Governor Hochul will quadruple financing to the Child Advocacy Centers this year. This will guarantee that the same trusted adult is there to prepare and support child victims of crime and their families throughout the entire process.
Providing Support to Veterans and Their Families
Strengthening Programs to Prevent Veteran Suicide
Due to high rates of depression and PTSD, suicide rates among New York Veterans are much higher than those of the general community. About one in four veterans in New York live with illnesses that make them much more likely to commit suicide. New York has created creative strategies to lower the number of veteran suicides through the nationwide Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and Military Families. Governor Hochul will obtain additional money to broaden suicide prevention programs in order to build on these efforts. This will include expanded outreach resources, gun safety initiatives, risk assessment training, and telemental health services for veterans throughout the state.
Increasing Assistance for Gold Star Families
The present Gold Star Parent Annuity Program exclusively pays payments to parents of service members who died in combat, omitting spouses, children, and families of those who died while on non-combat active duty, notwithstanding New York State’s observance of dead service members’ families.
Legislation to extend this program to all immediate family members of service members who pass away while on active duty will be proposed by Governor Hochul. In order to show New York’s appreciation for the Gold Star family’s sacrifice, the Governor will also push legislation allowing the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue commemorative license plates for them.