AN ACT CREATING OPERATION APPRECIATION ASSISTANCE AND INCREASING BENEFITS TO THE STATE NATIONAL GUARD AND MILITARY RESERVE.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

That the general statutes be amended to provide the following additional benefits for members of the state National Guard and military reservists in combat, and their families: (1) Two hundred fifty thousand dollars in state-funded life insurance coverage, (2) eligibility for up to two thousand dollars in family assistance for living expenses from a new Operation Appreciation Assistance Fund supported by voluntary state income taxpayer check off, (3) deferral without interest of state income tax payments and payment of property tax on a principal residence and primary motor vehicles for the duration of combat duty plus six months, (4) guaranteed paid leave by all employers for the duration of combat duty at full pay for the first thirty days and payment of the difference between military pay and regular pay for any day of combat duty beyond the first thirty days, (5) requiring health care providers to accept and health care insurers to coordinate benefits with Tricare, and (6) linking of all information concerning assistance available to National Guard members and military reservists during combat duty in a single website maintained by the Military Department.

Statement of Purpose:

To assist members of the state National Guard and their families.