With the possibility of thousands of New Yorkers, Nassau County men and women among them, being called to active duty to serve their nation in time of war, state Assemblyman David G. McDonough joined Gov. George Pataki and his Assembly Republican colleagues to announce a comprehensive plan to provide new benefits and protections for individuals and families directly affected by the call up.

The proposed package of bills, called the Patriot Plan, would help to ensure that New York's servicemen and women are rewarded, not penalized, for fighting in the war against terrorism and possible military action elsewhere.

"New York's servicemen and women have dedicated their lives to protecting freedoms for every American," McDonough said. "The initiatives contained in the Patriot Plan are necessary to help ensure that individuals called to active duty and their families are given the support and financial protection they deserve."

According to McDonough, the initiatives would have very little fiscal impact on the state, and would be an appropriate tribute to New York's servicemen and women.

The Patriot Plan includes these provisions:

* Supplemental Military Leave - Expands the supplemental military leave program established after Sept. 11, 2001, to help ensure that all state officers and employees called into active duty in the war against terrorism and other possible military action suffer no loss of salary as a result.

* Educational Military Leave of Absence and Tuition Relief - Requires colleges and universities to provide an educational military leave of absence for students called to active duty, which would require the institution to restore the student to his or her previous educational status upon return from military service without any loss of credits earned, scholarships or grants, or other fees paid prior to commencement of military duty. In addition, all colleges and universities would be required to provide a tuition refund or credit for students forced to suspend their studies because of an educational military leave of absence.

* Protection Against Military Status Discrimination - Expands the protections of the Human Rights Law to military personnel to ensure that they are not discriminated against regarding housing, employment, education, accommodation, and credit applications.

* Termination of Vehicle Leases - Permits military personnel to terminate a car lease if he or she is called to active duty.

* Interest Rate Cap on Installment Loans - Caps rates of interest on installment loans at 6 percent while the individual is engaged in state active duty.

* Health Insurance Benefits - Directs the Insurance Department to protect the rights of military personnel to continue, suspend or convert health insurance benefits during times of active duty.

* Professional Liability Insurance - Permits suspension of professional liability malpractice insurance by military personnel while serving on active duty.

* War on Terrorism Scholarship Program - Provides the children, spouses and dependents of New York military personnel killed during the war on terrorism or other future military action, as well as severely disabled combat survivors, with undergraduate rewards to cover the cost of attending a State University of New York or City University of New York institution, or a commensurate amount to attend a private college or university in New York state.

* Retirement Loan Repayment - Permits the suspension of loan payments for public employees who borrowed against their retirement system savings while such employees are engaged in active duty.

* Veterans Service Agencies - Authorizes county-run veterans service agencies to provide services to active duty Reserve, National Guard and militia troops.

* License Extensions - Provides automatic extensions for emergency medical technician licenses, driver's licenses, vehicle registration and vehicle inspections while military personnel are engaged in active duty.

* Suspension of Certain Legal Requirements During Active Duty - Provides the governor with the authority to issue Executive Orders suspending or modifying specific provisions of any statute, local law, ordinance or orders, rules or regulations, or parts thereof, relating to the obligations of military personnel called to active duty because of the war on terrorism.

* Free High-Speed Internet - Provides free high-speed internet access at places such as state university campuses to family members of activated troops for the purpose of communicating with their loved ones.

* Employer Recognition - Creates a "NY-USA Proud" Employer of Distinction Award to recognize companies that show exceptional support for military Reservists and Guard members.

* Patriot Discount Program - Establishes a voluntary state-sponsored program for merchants who agree to provide reduced-price discounts for merchandise and services for all military personnel.

* Free Hunting and Fishing Licenses - Provides free hunting and fishing licenses for members of the Guard, Reserve and state militia.

* Free Access to State Parks - Provides free admission for Reserve, National Guard and state militia troops and their families to the state parks, beaches and historic sites.

* Use of Retirees as Temporary Substitutes - Allows local governments to hire back retired workers to temporarily replace employees called to active duty. Workers would not face any loss of pension benefits as a result of this service.

For additional information, contact McDonough's district office at 731-8830.