You asked for synopses of select bills the Veterans' Affairs Committee has reported during this session.

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 280—AN ACT CONCERNING ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

This bill appropriates $ 1 million to the Veterans' Affairs Department for FY 08 to (1) provide information, counsel, and assistance on available housing services for current and former armed forces members, their spouses, and eligible dependents and (2) increase the availability of such services at the state Veterans' Home.

The Veterans' Affairs Committee reported this bill favorably to the Appropriations Committee on March 6.

SENATE BILL 319—AN ACT CONCERNING DISRUPTION OF A MILITARY FUNERAL

This bill makes it a crime to disrupt, at any nonfederal veterans' cemetery, the funeral (including burial, cremation, or memorial ceremony) of any current or former armed forces member, including members of the Connecticut National Guard and any women's auxiliary branch of the armed forces. A violation is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year imprisonment, a fine of up to $ 2,000, or both.

A person commits this crime if during the funeral or the hour before or after, and within a defined distance from, the funeral location, he willfully (1) makes or helps to make any noise or creates any diversion aimed at disturbing the funeral or (2) intentionally and without proper authorization impedes entry to or exit from the location. In the former case, the bill applies within 150 feet of the point of the intersection between (1) the boundaries of the location where the funeral takes place and (2) a road, path, or other entrance or exit route from the location. In the latter case, it applies within 300 feet of the boundary of the funeral location.

The bill defines the “boundary of the funeral location” as the property line of the cemetery, mortuary, or house of worship and in the case of funerals held elsewhere, the reasonable property line of the location.

The Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the Judiciary Committee on March 1.

HOUSE BILL 741—AN ACT CONCERNING UNPAID LEAVE FOR VETERANS ON VETERANS' DAY

This bill allows reservists, current and former Connecticut National Guard members, and honorably discharged veterans to take November 11 (Veterans' Day) off from work as an unpaid holiday without (1) losing seniority, benefits, longevity, retirement credit, sick leave, accrued vacation or overtime or (2) being penalized in any other way by their employers.

On March 1, the Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the Labor and Public Employees Committee, which reported it favorably to the Planning and Development Committee on March 6.

SENATE BILL 742—AN ACT CONCERNING A VETERANS' HEALTH REGISTRY

This bill allows the Veterans' Affairs Department, within available resources, to establish and maintain a registry with data on armed forces members who have completed a period of active service. The department may develop surveys for members or their health care providers voluntarily to provide data during or after such service.

The surveys and data must be collected and maintained in accordance with the 1996 federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). They must be related to members' illnesses and potential correlations to environmental hazards, including vaccinations, infections, chemicals, pesticides, microwaves, depleted uranium, pyridostigmine bromide, and chemical and biological warfare agents. Within available resources, the department may use the data to (1) study how the hazards may affect members and (2) inform, customize and coordinate the provision of health care services to them.

The bill prohibits the department from releasing any identifiable health information without a member's consent. It exempts the surveys and data registry from the Freedom of Information Act.

The Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the Public Health Committee on March 6.

HOUSE BILL 748—AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR A REGIONAL PROTECTION TRAINING FACILITY

This bill authorizes the State Bond Commission to issue up to $ 10 million in bonds to build a regional force protection training facility, which the Governor's Commission for the Economic Diversification of Southeastern Connecticut recommended.

The Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee on March 1.

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 1020—AN ACT CONCERNING DISABLED VETERANS PARTICIPATION IN THE STATE SET-ASIDE PROGRAM

This bill establishes a set-aside program for veteran small contractors with disabilities. It requires state agencies to award at least 3% of their contracts for public building and highway construction to disabled veteran contractors.

On March 6, the Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the Commerce Committee, which reported it to the Government Administrations and Elections Committee on March 13.

SENATE BILL 1186—AN ACT CONCERNING STATE EMPLOYEES SERVING IN OPERATION JUMP START OR CERTAIN OTHER OPERATIONS

This bill extends paid leave and insurance coverage to state employees called to active-duty service in Operation Jump Start at the border of the United States and Mexico. It gives such employees:

1. full state pay for active-duty leave up to 30 days;

2. payment of the difference between the employee's state pay (including longevity ) and military pay for any days beyond 30; and

3. continued state health insurance coverage for the employee and any dependents for the duration of the call-up as long as the employee continues to make insurance payments at the pre-activation level.

The law already provides these same benefits to state employees called to active service for (1) Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan war), (2) Operation Noble Eagle (anti-terrorism activities within the U. S. ), or (3) a related military or emergency operation whose mission was substantially changed because of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

On March 1, the Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the Labor Committee, which reported it favorably to the Appropriations Committee on March 6.

SENATE BILL 1187—AN ACT CONCERNING GRADUATE DEGREE TUITION WAIVERS FOR MEMBERS OF THE CONNECTICUT NATIONAL GUARD

This bill extends tuition waivers at the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut State University System to Connecticut National Guard members pursuing graduate studies and who meet the same eligibility criteria as those for undergraduate degree tuition waivers. The member (1) must be certified by the adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard to be in good standing and (2) be enrolled or accepted for admission to the institution as a full-time graduate degree program.

On March 1, the Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, which reported it to the Appropriations Committee on March 13.

HOUSE BILL 5799—AN ACT CONCERNING A HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVOCATE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS

This bill requires at least one of the service officers the veterans' affairs commissioner appoints to the veterans' advocacy and assistance unit to have a demonstrated interest in the concerns of Latino and Hispanic veterans and be responsible for addressing those concerns.

By law, the commissioner must appoint six service officers to the veterans' advocacy and assistance unit, including a woman having a demonstrated interest in the concerns of female veterans and who is responsible for addressing those concerns.

The unit is responsible for helping veterans, their eligible spouses, and eligible dependents obtain veterans benefits under federal, state, and local laws, according to the Connecticut Veterans' Department. Among other things, according to the department, service officers:

1. collect and prepare data on benefits and services for veterans, their spouses, and eligible dependents;

2. canvass nursing homes to determine if veterans or their spouses are receiving benefits for which they are eligible;

3. help establish, prepare, and present claims on behalf of veterans;

4. help disseminate information to veterans;

5. counsel veterans about educational, training, health, medical, rehabilitation, housing, and employment services; and

6. represent veterans with federal claims before the U. S. Department of Veterans' Affairs.

On March 1, the Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the Public Safety Committee, which reported it to the floor on March 6.

HOUSE BILL 6100—AN ACT CONCERNING THE PAYMENT OF GRANTS UNDER THE MILITARY FAMILY RELIEF FUND

This bill requires the Military Department to pay hardship grants from the Military Family Relief Fund directly to the provider of the goods or services for which a grant is made, instead of the person requesting the grant. It also expands the number of people eligible for grants.

By law, the fund makes grants to immediate relatives of Connecticut-domiciled armed forces members on active duty, including guard members, to pay for essential personal or household goods or services in Connecticut, if paying for them would be a hardship for the relatives because of the member's service. Immediate relatives are an eligible member's spouse, child, or parent domiciled in Connecticut, or other relatives living in his household. “Essential personal household goods or services” include repairs, uninsured medical services, transportation, babysitting, clothing, school supplies, and other goods or services essential to the relatives' well being.

On March 1, the Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the Public Safety and Security Committee, which reported it favorably to the Appropriations Committee on March 6.

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 6714—AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR MILITARY MUSEUMS IN THE CITIES OF MIDDLETOWN AND WEST HAVEN

This bill requires the State Bond Commission to issue up to $ 6 million in bonds to establish a military museum in Middletown and up to $ 6 million to establish a military museum in West Haven.

The Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee On March 1.

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 6945—AN ACT CONCERNING THE OPTIONAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS

This bill allows towns to set income guidelines for the veterans' optional property tax exemption higher than established in law. It increases the amount of the exemption towns may provide from a maximum $ 10,000 or 10 percent of the property's assessed value to a maximum $ 20,000 or 20 percent of the property's assessed value.

By law, towns may provide this nonreimbursable property tax exemption to veterans who meet the law's criteria for the basic veterans' property tax exemption.

The Veterans' Affairs Committee reported this bill favorably to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding committee on March 6.

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 6948—AN ACT CONCERNING STOLEN MILITARY VALOR AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES

This bill increases the penalty for wearing the uniform of any armed forces member without being authorized to do so. The bill increases the minimum fine from $ 100 to $ 500 and the maximum from $ 500 to $ 1,000.

The bill makes it illegal to falsely represent oneself as a recipient of any Congressional award or medal; service medal or badge awarded by the armed forces; or any ribbon, button, or rosette, or other decoration, medal, badge, or colorable imitation of such medals or awards. A violation is punishable by a fine of $ 500 to $ 1,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

The bill makes it a crime to deprive anyone of any rights or discriminate against them based on their membership in the armed forces. A violation is punishable by a fine of at least $ 500, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

The Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the Judiciary Committee on March 6.

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 6949—AN ACT CONCERNING A SERVICE BONUS FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE CONNECTICUT NATIONAL GUARD ON ACTIVE SERVICE WITH THE ARMED FORCES

Beginning July 1, 2007, this bill increases the bonus for current or former Connecticut National Guard members' combat zone service after September 11, 2001, from a maximum $ 500 to a maximum $ 1,000. It also extends bonus payments up to $ 500 to current or former guard members' active service outside of a combat zone on or after September 11, 2001.

By law and the bill, applicants must submit the bonus requests within three years after the date the operation in which they served ends.

The Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the Appropriations Committee on March 1.

HOUSE BILL 6952—AN ACT CONCERNING ELIGIBILITY FOR BURIAL IN A STATE VETERANS' CEMETERY

This bill expands eligibility for burial in any state veterans' cemetery to include any Connecticut National Guard member (1) who completed at least 20 years of service or (2) who was killed in action or died as a result of an accident or illness sustained while on active service in the guard.

On March 1, the Veterans' Affairs Committee reported this bill favorably to the Public Safety Committee, which reported it to the floor on March 6.

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 7095—AN ACT CONCERNING TUITION WAIVERS FOR CHILDREN AND SPOUSES OF VETERANS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, PROTECTIONS FOR RESIDENTS ON OR COMPLETING ACTIVE DUTY, VETERAN BURIAL SUBSIDIES AND THE MILITARY FAMILY RELIEF FUND

This bill extends public college tuition waivers to the surviving dependent child or spouse of any veteran killed performing active military duty with the U. S. Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001 or who died as a result of an accident or injury sustained performing such duty. The waivers apply to the University of Connecticut, Connecticut State University System, and community technical colleges.

To be eligible for the waiver, the applicant must live in Connecticut and the veteran must have been a state resident as well.

The bill increases, from $ 150 to $ 1,800, the amount the state burial expense payments for a veteran who dies destitute.

The Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee on March 1. The committee took no action on the bill.

HOUSE BILL 7167—AN ACT CONCERNING PROFESSIONAL LICENSES OF MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES AND THE CONNECTICUT NATIONAL GUARD

This bill extends, from six months to one year, the grace period during which armed forces members discharged from active duty may renew certain Department of Public Health (DPH) licenses, permits, or registrations that lapsed while they were on active service. It gives guard members the same 12-month period to renew these credentials.

The bill also gives a 12-month grace period to renew all other state agency professional licenses, registrations, certificates, or permits.

On March 1, The Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the General Law Committee, which took no action on it.

HOUSE BILL 7168—AN ACT CONCERNING THE WAIVER OF FEES FOR VETERANS AT COMMUNITY-TECHNICAL COLLEGES, THE CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

Current law requires the state's public colleges to waive undergraduate tuition for war service veterans. This bill requires the schools also to waive any other fees the college boards set.

The Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee on March 1. The committee took no action on the bill.

HOUSE BILL 7169—AN ACT INCREASING STATE ACTIVE DUTY PAY AND PROVIDING AN INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FOR CERTAIN STATE ACTIVE DUTY PAYMENTS

This bill increases the per diem pay for National Guard service ordered by the governor to a minimum $ 125 and exempts the pay from income tax. Under current law, commissioned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted persons get the same rate as they get for federal duty, plus $ 10 for warrant officers and $ 5 for first lieutenant.

The Veterans' Affairs Committee reported the bill favorably to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee on March 1.

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