HF 2557

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/03/2014 02:39pm

A bill for an act
relating to veterans; modifying certain county veterans service officer duties;
modifying certain duties of the commissioner of veterans affairs related to
federal funding; modifying eligibility for the veterans homes; requiring a report;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 197.603, subdivision 1; 198.003,
subdivision 4a; 198.01; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 196.30.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 197.603, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Veterans benefits and assistance.

It shall be the duty of the county
veterans service officer to aid all residents of the governmental subdivision by which the
officer is employed in securing benefits provided by law on account of the service of any
person in the armed forces of the United States, from which the person has a discharge
other than dishonorable. The county veterans service officer shall aid all veterans who are
residents of the governmental subdivision by which the officer is employed, regardless of
the nature of discharge, in securing counseling or treatment concerning alcohol and drug
dependency and abuse. new text begin The county veterans service officer shall encourage all veterans
covered by this subdivision to participate in MNsure, long-term care insurance, and dental
insurance. The county veterans service officer shall also assist all veterans covered by this
subdivision in attaining health insurance, long-term care insurance, and dental insurance
as necessary.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 198.003, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:

Subd. 4a.

Federal funding.

The commissioner is authorized to apply for and accept
federal funding for purposes of deleted text begin this section deleted text end new text begin operating, maintaining, and making repairs
for purposes of this section. The commissioner may not apply for federal funds for the
purpose of new home construction absent express legislative authority if those funds are
contingent on a subsequent appropriation of state funds new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 198.01, is amended to read:

198.01 VETERANS HOME; ELIGIBILITY OF VETERANS.

new text begin (a) new text end The Minnesota veterans homes shall provide nursing care and related health
and social services for veterans and their spouses who meet eligibility and admission
requirements of the Minnesota veterans homes new text begin in accordance with paragraph (b) new text end . The
word "veteran" as used in this section has the meaning provided in section 197.447.

new text begin (b) When determining admissions under section 198.022, the commissioner shall
assign priority to applicants based on the following criteria:
new text end

new text begin (1) Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, former prisoners of foreign wars,
Purple Heart recipients, and veterans with 70 percent or higher service-connected
disability shall be given first priority in admission to a state-run veterans home;
new text end

new text begin (2) all other veterans shall be given second priority for admission to a state-run
veterans home;
new text end

new text begin (3) priority under clauses (1) and (2) shall be given to veterans with a documented
two-year residency in this state immediately prior to admission, or to those veterans who
lived in this state at the time they entered the armed forces;
new text end

new text begin (4) spouses of veterans who are over age 65 shall be given third priority for
admission to a state-run veterans home;
new text end

new text begin (5) priority under clause (4) shall be given to spouses with a documented two-year
residency in this state immediately prior to admission, or to those spouses who lived in
this state at the time their veteran-spouse entered the armed forces; and
new text end

new text begin (6) Gold Star parents, as defined in section 168.1253, subdivision 1, paragraph
(c), shall be given fourth priority.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2014.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin REPORT AND STUDY ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM
LONG-TERM CARE ADVISORY COMMISSION REPORT.
new text end

new text begin In order to facilitate a legislative review of long-term care for veterans, the
commissioner shall review the long-term care recommendations contained in the
2007 Minnesota Governor's Long-Term Care Advisory Commission Report created in
accordance with executive order 07-02. The commissioner shall indicate which of these
recommendations have been adopted and which have not, providing explanations for any
recommendations which were not adopted where possible. The commissioner shall report
the findings to the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over
veterans housing, and to the governor, by February 1, 2015.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 196.30, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end