HF 3953

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to veterans; establishing a statewide veteran-to-veteran peer counseling
pilot program; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 197.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [197.792] VETERAN-TO-VETERAN PEER COUNSELING PILOT
PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of veterans affairs, in consultation with the adjutant general,
the commissioner of human services, and any other entity that the commissioner considers
helpful, shall provide start-up instruction and training for volunteer facilitators who are
combat veterans selected by the commissioner for a pilot program for veteran-to-veteran
peer counseling among combat veterans throughout the state. The commissioner shall
create and provide a two- to three-day instructional and training curriculum for the
volunteer facilitators.
new text end

new text begin (b) The trained volunteer facilitators shall coordinate with county veteran service
officers from throughout the state to conduct grassroots outreach to interested veterans and
to conduct regular veteran-to-veteran peer counseling meetings.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner of veterans affairs may accept nongovernmental donations of
money, materials, labor, meeting space, and other relevant assistance for use in this pilot
program. State facilities may be made available for this program at no cost and on a space
available basis during normal working hours or at the convenience of the facility manager.
new text end

new text begin (d) By February 15, 2009, and each year thereafter, the commissioner must report to
the chairs of the house and senate committees responsible for military and veterans affairs.
The report must describe and discuss program activity and effectiveness and include an
accounting of any public resources used in this program.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $50,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of veterans
affairs in fiscal year 2009 for the pilot program in Minnesota Statutes, section 197.792.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 and 2 are effective July 1, 2008.
new text end