SF 485

3rd Engrossment - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 07/16/2021 09:38am

A bill for an act
relating to veterans and military affairs; appropriating money; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2020, sections 10.578; 15.057; 190.07; 197.791, subdivisions 4, 5, 5a, 5b;
198.006; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 16B; 196.

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

ARTICLE 1

VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies
and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund,
or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.
The figures "2022" and "2023" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under
them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, or June 30, 2023, respectively.
"The first year" is fiscal year 2022. "The second year" is fiscal year 2023. "The biennium"
is fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2022 new text end		new text begin 2023 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin MILITARY AFFAIRS new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 24,393,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 24,589,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Maintenance of Training Facilities new text end

new text begin 9,772,000 new text end

new text begin 9,842,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin General Support new text end

new text begin 3,507,000 new text end

new text begin 3,633,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Enlistment Incentives new text end

new text begin 11,114,000 new text end

new text begin 11,114,000 new text end

new text begin The appropriations in this subdivision are
available until June 30, 2025, except that any
unspent amounts allocated to a program
otherwise supported by this appropriation are
canceled to the general fund upon receipt of
federal funds in the same amount to support
administration of that program.
new text end

new text begin If the amount for fiscal year 2022 is
insufficient, the amount for 2023 is available
in fiscal year 2022.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin VETERANS AFFAIRS new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 79,851,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 79,389,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Veterans Programs and Services new text end

new text begin 19,218,000 new text end

new text begin 19,134,000 new text end

new text begin The base for this appropriation in fiscal year
2024 and each year thereafter is $18,236,000.
new text end

new text begin (a) new text begin Veterans Service Organizations. new text end
$353,000 each year is for grants to the
following congressionally chartered veterans
service organizations as designated by the
commissioner: Disabled American Veterans,
Military Order of the Purple Heart, the
American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, and
Paralyzed Veterans of America. This funding
must be allocated in direct proportion to the
funding currently being provided by the
commissioner to these organizations.
new text end

new text begin (b) new text begin Minnesota Assistance Council for
Veterans. new text end $750,000 each year is for a grant
to the Minnesota Assistance Council for
Veterans to provide assistance throughout
Minnesota to veterans and their families who
are homeless or in danger of homelessness,
including assistance with the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) utilities;
new text end

new text begin (2) employment; and
new text end

new text begin (3) legal issues.
new text end

new text begin The assistance authorized under this paragraph
must be made only to veterans who have
resided in Minnesota for 30 days prior to
application for assistance and according to
other guidelines established by the
commissioner. In order to avoid duplication
of services, the commissioner must ensure that
this assistance is coordinated with all other
available programs for veterans.
new text end

new text begin (c) new text begin Honor Guards. new text end $200,000 each year is for
compensation for honor guards at the funerals
of veterans under Minnesota Statutes, section
197.231.
new text end

new text begin (d) new text begin Minnesota GI Bill. new text end $200,000 each year is
for the costs of administering the Minnesota
GI Bill postsecondary educational benefits,
on-the-job training, and apprenticeship
program under Minnesota Statutes, section
197.791.
new text end

new text begin (e) new text begin Gold Star Program. new text end $100,000 each year
is for administering the Gold Star Program for
surviving family members of deceased
veterans.
new text end

new text begin (f) new text begin County Veterans Service Office. new text end
$1,100,000 each year is for funding the
County Veterans Service Office grant program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.608.
new text end

new text begin (g) Veteran Homelessness Initiative.
$750,000 each year is for an initiative to
prevent and end veteran homelessness. The
commissioner of veterans affairs may provide
housing vouchers and other services to
alleviate homelessness among veterans and
former service members in Minnesota. The
commissioner may contract for program
administration and may establish a vacancy
reserve fund. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (h) new text begin 9/11 Task Force. new text end $112,000 the first year
is for the Advisory Task Force on 9/11 and
Global War on Terrorism Remembrance. The
task force must collect, memorialize, and
publish stories of Minnesotans' service in the
Global War on Terrorism and impacts on their
dependents. The task force must host a
remembrance program in September 2021.
This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (i) Camp Bliss. $75,000 each year is for a
grant to Independent Lifestyles, Inc. for
expenses related to retreats for veterans at
Camp Bliss in Walker, Minnesota, including
therapy, transportation, and activities
customized for veterans. This is a onetime
appropriation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Veterans Health Care new text end

new text begin 60,633,000 new text end

new text begin 60,255,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Transfers. $59,633,000 the first year and
$59,605,000 the second year may be
transferred to a veterans homes special
revenue account in the special revenue fund
in the same manner as other receipts are
deposited according to Minnesota Statutes,
section 198.34, and are appropriated to the
commissioner of veterans affairs for the
operation of veterans homes facilities and
programs. The base for this transfer in fiscal
year 2024 and each year thereafter is
$58,736,000.
new text end

new text begin (b) Veteran Suicide Prevention Initiative.
$1,000,000 the first year and $650,000 the
second year are to address the problem of
death by suicide among veterans in Minnesota.
The commissioner of veterans affairs may use
funds for personnel, training, research,
marketing, and professional or technical
contracts. The base for this appropriation in
fiscal year 2024 and each year thereafter is
$550,000.
new text end

ARTICLE 2

VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS POLICY

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 10.578, is amended to read:

10.578 VETERANS SUICIDE new text begin PREVENTION AND new text end AWARENESS DAY.

The first Saturday of every October is designated Veterans Suicide new text begin Prevention and
new text end Awareness Day. Each year, the governor shall issue a proclamation honoring this observance. new text begin
Each year in conjunction with this observance, the commissioner of veterans affairs shall
coordinate activities that raise awareness of, and promote the prevention of, veteran suicides.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 15.057, is amended to read:

15.057 PUBLICITY REPRESENTATIVES.

No state department, bureau, or division, whether the same operates on funds appropriated
or receipts or fees of any nature whatsoever, except new text begin the Department of Veterans Affairs,
new text end the Department of Transportation, the Department of Employment and Economic
Development, the Game and Fish Division, State Agricultural Society, and Explore Minnesota
Tourism shall use any of such funds for the payment of the salary or expenses of a publicity
representative. The head of any such department, bureau, or division shall be personally
liable for funds used contrary to this provision. This section shall not be construed, however,
as preventing any such department, bureau, or division from sending out any bulletins or
other publicity required by any state law or necessary for the satisfactory conduct of the
business for which such department, bureau, or division was created.

Sec. 3.

new text begin [16B.276] CAPITOL FLAG PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) The terms used in this section have the meanings given
them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Active service" has the meaning given in section 190.05, subdivision 5.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Eligible family member" means a surviving spouse, parent or legal guardian, child,
or sibling of (1) a public safety officer killed in the line of duty, or (2) a person who has
died while serving honorably in active service in the United States armed forces. For purposes
of this section, an eligibility relationship may be established by birth or adoption.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Killed in the line of duty" has the meaning given in section 299A.41, subdivision
3.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Public safety officer" has the meaning given in section 299A.41, subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A Capitol flag program is established. The purpose of the
program is to make a Minnesota state flag and an American flag that were flown over the
Minnesota State Capitol available to the family members of a public safety officer killed
in the line of duty or a member of the United States armed forces who died while in active
service. In addition to appropriations provided by law, the commissioner of management
and budget may receive gifts to support the program as authorized in sections 16A.013 to
16A.016. The program established by this section is required only to the extent that sufficient
funds are available through appropriations or gifts to support its operations.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Submission of request; presentation. new text end

new text begin (a) A flag request may only be made
by a legislator or state constitutional officer on behalf of an eligible family member, after
verification of the family member's eligibility under the procedures adopted under subdivision
4. The request must be made to the commissioner of administration, and must indicate the
type of flag requested, a certification that the family member's eligibility has been verified,
special requests for the date the flag is requested to be flown over the Capitol, and the
method of presentment. The commissioner may adopt a form to be used for this purpose.
With at least 30 days' notice, the commissioner must honor a request that a flag be flown
on a specific commemorative date.
new text end

new text begin (b) Upon receipt of a request, the commissioner shall deliver the requested flags to the
requesting legislator or constitutional officer for coordination of a later presentment
ceremony. If relevant information is made available, the commissioner shall provide a
certificate memorializing the details of the occasion and the date the flag was flown with
each flag presented.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Verification of eligibility. new text end

new text begin The house of representatives, the senate, and each
constitutional officer must adopt procedures for the administration of flag requests received
from eligible family members, including a procedure for verification of a family member's
eligibility to receive a flag.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Eligibility; fees. new text end

new text begin (a) For deaths that occur on or after August 1, 2021, the family
of a public safety officer killed in the line of duty or service member of the United States
armed forces who died in active service is entitled to receive one United States flag and one
Minnesota state flag free of charge under this section. If multiple flags of the same type are
requested to be flown in honor of the same decedent, the commissioner may charge a
reasonable fee that does not exceed the actual cost of flying each flag and preparing a
certificate memorializing the occasion.
new text end

new text begin (b) For deaths that occurred before August 1, 2021, the family of a public safety officer
killed in the line of duty or service member of the United States armed forces who died in
active service may receive a Minnesota state flag and a United States flag for a fee, unless
there are donated, nonstate funds available to provide a flag without a fee. If payment of a
fee is required under this paragraph, the commissioner may charge an eligible family an
amount that does not exceed the actual cost of flying each flag and preparing a certificate
memorializing the occasion.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2021.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 190.07, is amended to read:

190.07 APPOINTMENT; QUALIFICATIONS; RANK new text begin ; TERM; VACANCY new text end .

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Qualifications. new text end

There shall be an adjutant general of the state who shall
be appointed by the governor new text begin within 120 days of a vacancy of the position new text end . The adjutant
general shall be a staff officer, who at the time of appointment shall be a commissioned
officer of the National Guard deleted text begin of this state, with not less than ten years military service in
the National Guard of this state or the armed forces of the United States, at least three of
which shall have been commissioned deleted text end and who shall have reached new text begin , at a minimum, new text end the deleted text begin grade
of a field officer deleted text end new text begin rank of colonel (O-6) new text end .

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Rank. new text end

The adjutant general shall new text begin be promoted, if necessary, directly to and
shall new text end hold deleted text begin at least deleted text end the rank of major general deleted text begin and may be promoted to and including the
highest rank authorized under federal law. However, the adjutant general may not be
promoted to the rank of major general without having at least 20 years service in the
Minnesota National Guard, at least one of which has been in the rank of brigadier general deleted text end . new text begin
If not already a major general, the adjutant general's promotion is effective beginning on
the date the governor appoints the adjutant general. At the time of appointment and in
accordance with the authorities governing federal recognition of officers, the adjutant general
is authorized to wear the rank of major general.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Term. new text end

The term of the adjutant general is new text begin for a single term of new text end seven years from
the date of appointment. deleted text begin Section 15.06, subdivisions 3, 4, and 5, governs filling of vacancies
in the Office of Adjutant General. deleted text end The adjutant general shall not be removed from office
during a term except upon withdrawal of federal recognition or as otherwise provided by
the military laws of this state.

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Vacancy; acting or temporary adjutant general. new text end

new text begin In the event of a vacancy
of the adjutant general, the governor may appoint a person qualified under subdivision 1 as
an acting adjutant general. If the governor does not appoint an acting adjutant general, the
deputy adjutant general as defined in section 190.09, subdivision 1, shall become temporary
adjutant general without further official action. Upon taking office, the acting or temporary
adjutant general shall have all the powers and emoluments and perform all the duties of the
office of adjutant general until a permanent adjutant general is appointed.
new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin [196.081] VETERANS STABLE HOUSING INITIATIVE; DATA.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner may establish a veterans stable housing initiative. If the
commissioner establishes a veterans stable housing initiative under this section, the
commissioner must provide resources and support to assist veterans experiencing
homelessness in obtaining or maintaining stable housing.
new text end

new text begin (b) Data on individuals maintained by the commissioner in the Homeless Veteran Registry
for purposes of the veterans stable housing initiative is private data on individuals as defined
in section 13.02, subdivision 12, and must not be disclosed or shared except for coordinating
homelessness prevention efforts with:
new text end

new text begin (1) members of the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness; and
new text end

new text begin (2) Homeless Veteran Registry partners to address a veteran's episode of homelessness
or maintain a veteran's housing plan through Department of Veterans Affairs funded
programs.
new text end

new text begin (c) For purposes of this section, "homelessness" means that a veteran lacks a fixed,
nighttime residence.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 197.791, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Eligibility.

(a) A person is eligible for educational assistance under deleted text begin subdivisions deleted text end new text begin
subdivision new text end 5 deleted text begin and 5a deleted text end if:

(1) the person is:

(i) a veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch or unit of the United
States armed forces at any time;

(ii) a nonveteran who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively
as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of
the United States armed forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after September
11, 2001;

(iii) the surviving spouse or child of a person who has served in the military and who
has died as a direct result of that military service, only if the surviving spouse or child is
eligible to receive federal education benefits under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33,
as amended, or United States Code, title 38, chapter 35, as amended; or

(iv) the spouse or child of a person who has served in the military at any time and who
has a total and permanent service-connected disability as rated by the United States Veterans
Administration, only if the spouse or child is eligible to receive federal education benefits
under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as amended, or United States Code, title 38,
chapter 35, as amended; and

(2) the person receiving the educational assistance is a Minnesota resident, as defined
in section 136A.101, subdivision 8; and

(3) the person receiving the educational assistance:

(i) is an undergraduate or graduate student at an eligible institution;

(ii) is maintaining satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution for students
participating in federal Title IV programs;

(iii) is enrolled in an education program leading to a certificate, diploma, or degree at
an eligible institution;

(iv) has applied for educational assistance under this section prior to the end of the
academic term for which the assistance is being requested;

(v) is in compliance with child support payment requirements under section 136A.121,
subdivision 2, clause (5); and

(vi) has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

(b) A person's eligibility terminates when the person becomes eligible for benefits under
section 135A.52.

(c) To determine eligibility, the commissioner may require official documentation,
including the person's federal form DD-214 or other official military discharge papers;
correspondence from the United States Veterans Administration; birth certificate; marriage
certificate; proof of enrollment at an eligible institution; signed affidavits; proof of residency;
proof of identity; or any other official documentation the commissioner considers necessary
to determine eligibility.

(d) The commissioner may deny eligibility or terminate benefits under this section to
any person who has not provided sufficient documentation to determine eligibility for the
program. An applicant may appeal the commissioner's eligibility determination or termination
of benefits in writing to the commissioner at any time. The commissioner must rule on any
application or appeal within 30 days of receipt of all documentation that the commissioner
requires. The decision of the commissioner regarding an appeal is final. However, an
applicant whose appeal of an eligibility determination has been rejected by the commissioner
may submit an additional appeal of that determination in writing to the commissioner at
any time that the applicant is able to provide substantively significant additional information
regarding the applicant's eligibility for the program. An approval of an applicant's eligibility
by the commissioner following an appeal by the applicant is not retroactively effective for
more than one year or the semester of the person's original application, whichever is later.

(e) Upon receiving an application with insufficient documentation to determine eligibility,
the commissioner must notify the applicant within 30 days of receipt of the application that
the application is being suspended pending receipt by the commissioner of sufficient
documentation from the applicant to determine eligibility.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 197.791, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Educational assistance deleted text begin amount deleted text end .

(a) On approval by the commissioner of
eligibility for the program, the applicant shall be awarded, on a funds-available basis, the
educational assistance under the program for use at any time according to program rules at
any eligible institution.

(b) The amount of educational assistance in any semester or term for an eligible person
must be determined by subtracting from the eligible person's cost of attendance the amount
the person received or was eligible to receive in that semester or term from:

(1) the federal Pell Grant;

(2) the state grant program under section 136A.121; and

(3) any federal military or veterans educational benefits including but not limited to the
Montgomery GI Bill, GI Bill Kicker, the federal tuition assistance program, vocational
rehabilitation benefits, and any other federal benefits associated with the person's status as
a veteran, except veterans disability payments from the United States new text begin Department of new text end Veterans
deleted text begin Administration and payments made under the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program
(VRAP) deleted text end new text begin Affairs new text end .

(c) The amount of educational assistance for any eligible person who is a full-time
student must not exceed the following:

(1) $3,000 per state fiscal year; and

(2) $10,000 in a lifetime.

(d) For a part-time student, the amount of educational assistance must not exceed $500
per semester or term of enrollment. For the purpose of this paragraph, a part-time
undergraduate student is a student taking fewer than 12 credits or the equivalent for a
semester or term of enrollment and a part-time graduate student is a student considered part
time by the eligible institution the graduate student is attending. The minimum award for
undergraduate and graduate students is $50 per term.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 197.791, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:

Subd. 5a.

Apprenticeship and on-the-job training.

(a) The commissioner, in
consultation with the commissioners of employment and economic development and labor
and industry, shall develop and implement an apprenticeship and on-the-job training program
to administer a portion of the Minnesota GI Bill program to pay benefit amounts to eligible
persons, as provided in this subdivision.

(b) An "eligible employer" means an employer operating a qualifying apprenticeship or
on-the-job training program that has been approved by the commissioner.

deleted text begin (c) A person is eligible for apprenticeship and on-the-job training assistance under this
subdivision if the person meets the criteria established under subdivision 4, paragraph (a).
The commissioner may determine eligibility as provided in subdivision 4, paragraph (c),
and may deny or terminate benefits as prescribed under subdivision 4, paragraphs (d) and
(e). The amount of assistance paid to or on behalf of an eligible individual under this
subdivision must not exceed the following:
deleted text end

new text begin (c) A person is eligible for apprenticeship and on-the-job training assistance under this
subdivision if the person is:
new text end

new text begin (i) a veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch or unit of the United
States armed forces at any time;
new text end

new text begin (ii) a nonveteran who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively
as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of
the United States armed forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after September
11, 2001;
new text end

new text begin (iii) the surviving spouse or child of a person who has served in the military and who
has died as a direct result of that military service, only if the surviving spouse or child is
eligible to receive federal education benefits under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33,
as amended, or United States Code, title 38, chapter 35, as amended; or
new text end

new text begin (iv) the spouse or child of a person who has served in the military at any time and who
has a total and permanent service-connected disability as rated by the United States Veterans
Administration, only if the spouse or child is eligible to receive federal education benefits
under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as amended, or United States Code, title 38,
chapter 35.
new text end

new text begin (d) The amount of assistance paid to or on behalf of an eligible individual under this
subdivision must not exceed the following:
new text end

(1) $3,000 per fiscal year for apprenticeship expenses;

(2) $3,000 per fiscal year for on-the-job training;

(3) $1,000 for a job placement credit payable to an eligible employer upon hiring and
completion of six consecutive months' employment of a person receiving assistance under
this subdivision; and

(4) $1,000 for a job placement credit payable to an eligible employer after a person
receiving assistance under this subdivision has been employed by the eligible employer for
at least 12 consecutive months as a full-time employee.

new text begin (e) new text end No more than $5,000 in aggregate benefits under this deleted text begin paragraph deleted text end new text begin subdivision new text end may be
paid to or on behalf of an individual in one fiscal year deleted text begin , and not more than $10,000 in
aggregate benefits under this paragraph may be paid to or on behalf of an individual over
any period of time deleted text end .

new text begin (f) If an eligible person receives benefits under subdivision 5 or 5b, the eligible person's
aggregate benefits under this subdivision, subdivisions 5, and 5b, must not exceed $10,000
in the eligible person's lifetime.
new text end

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (g) new text end Assistance for apprenticeship expenses and on-the-job training is available for
qualifying programs, which must, at a minimum, meet the following criteria:

(1) the training must be with an eligible employer;

(2) the training must be documented and reported;

(3) the training must reasonably be expected to lead to an entry-level position; and

(4) the position must require at least six months of training to become fully trained.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 197.791, subdivision 5b, is amended to read:

Subd. 5b.

Additional professional or educational benefits.

(a) The commissioner shall
develop and implement a program to administer a portion of the Minnesota GI Bill program
to pay additional benefit amounts to eligible persons as provided under this subdivision.

deleted text begin (b) A person is eligible for additional benefits under this subdivision if the person meets
the criteria established under subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (1). The commissioner
may determine eligibility as provided in subdivision 4, paragraph (c), and may deny or
terminate benefits as prescribed under subdivision 4, paragraphs (d) and (e). The amount
of assistance paid to or on behalf of an eligible individual under this subdivision must not
exceed the following amounts:
deleted text end

new text begin (b) A person is eligible for additional benefits under this subdivision if the person is:
new text end

new text begin (i) a veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch or unit of the United
States armed forces at any time;
new text end

new text begin (ii) a nonveteran who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively
as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of
the United States armed forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after September
11, 2001;
new text end

new text begin (iii) the surviving spouse or child of a person who has served in the military and who
has died as a direct result of that military service, only if the surviving spouse or child is
eligible to receive federal education benefits under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33,
as amended, or United States Code, title 38, chapter 35, as amended; or
new text end

new text begin (iv) the spouse or child of a person who has served in the military at any time and who
has a total and permanent service-connected disability as rated by the United States Veterans
Administration, only if the spouse or child is eligible to receive federal education benefits
under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as amended, or United States Code, title 38,
chapter 35.
new text end

new text begin (c) The amount of assistance paid to or on behalf of an eligible individual under this
subdivision must not exceed the following amounts:
new text end

(1) $3,000 per state fiscal year; and

(2) $10,000 in a lifetime.

new text begin (d) If an eligible person receives benefits under subdivision 5 or 5a, the eligible person's
aggregate benefits under this subdivision, subdivisions 5, and 5a, must not exceed $10,000
in the eligible person's lifetime.
new text end

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end A person eligible under this subdivision may use the benefit amounts for the
following purposes:

(1) licensing or certification tests, the successful completion of which demonstrates an
individual's possession of the knowledge or skill required to enter into, maintain, or advance
in employment in a predetermined and identified vocation or profession, provided that the
tests and the licensing or credentialing organizations or entities that offer the tests are
approved by the commissioner;

(2) tests for admission to institutions of higher learning or graduate schools;

(3) national tests providing an opportunity for course credit at institutions of higher
learning;

(4) a preparatory course for a test that is required or used for admission to an institution
of higher education or a graduate program; and

(5) any fee associated with the pursuit of a professional or educational objective specified
in clauses (1) to (4).

deleted text begin (d) If an eligible person receives benefits under subdivision 5, the eligible person's
aggregate benefits under this subdivision and subdivision 5 must not exceed $10,000 in the
eligible person's lifetime.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (e) If an eligible person receives benefits under subdivision 5a, the eligible person's
aggregate benefits under this subdivision and subdivision 5a must not exceed $10,000 in
the eligible person's lifetime.
deleted text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 198.006, is amended to read:

198.006 SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAMS.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end work with federal, state, local, and private agencies to
develop alternative institutional and noninstitutional care programs for veterans to supplement
the mission of the homes. Veterans shall be afforded the least restrictive, most appropriate
level of care available.

new text begin (b) The commissioner may work with federal, state, local, and private entities to make
available appropriate dental services for veterans homes residents. The commissioner may
engage with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to support the dental benefits
program authorized under this paragraph.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner may provide adult day care center programs that offer therapeutic
and rehabilitation health care services to veterans and support services for caregivers of
veterans. If the commissioner provides adult day care center programs, the commissioner
may collect fees from program participants. The commissioner is authorized to apply for
and accept federal funding for purposes of this paragraph.
new text end

Sec. 11. new text begin REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
new text end

new text begin The revisor of statutes must renumber the provisions of Minnesota Statutes listed in
column A to the references listed in column B. The revisor must also make necessary
cross-reference changes in Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules consistent with the
renumbering.
new text end

	new text begin Column A new text end	new text begin Column B new text end
	new text begin 197.791, subdivision 5a new text end	new text begin 197.791, subdivision 6 new text end
	new text begin 197.791, subdivision 5b new text end	new text begin 197.791, subdivision 7 new text end
	new text begin 197.791, subdivision 6 new text end	new text begin 197.791, subdivision 8 new text end