HB 1213 - AS INTRODUCED
2000 SESSION
HOUSE BILL 1213
AN ACT establishing a commission to develop a pilot program for displaced veterans.
SPONSORS: Rep. Leonard, Hills 39; Rep. Dickinson, Carr 2
COMMITTEE: State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
This bill establishes a commission to develop a pilot program for displaced veterans.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
00-2036
09/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand
AN ACT establishing a commission to develop a pilot program for displaced veterans.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Intent.
I. The legislature finds that it is the state's obligation to provide medical care, rehabilitation programs, temporary shelter, and employment counseling and training for our nation's veterans, who are our nation's heroes.
II. There have been many efforts to cut back funding to the Veterans Administration Hospital in the city of Manchester. There have even been efforts to close this hospital. The legislature finds that there is a serious need for this hospital to remain open and for other health care facilities to offer emergency medical care to veterans who have no health insurance.
III The legislature recognizes that many veterans are homeless, often due to drug or alcohol abuse or physical and emotional problems. These veterans need access to medical care, appropriate rehabilitation and counseling programs, and shelters which provide temporary housing.
IV. The legislature also recognizes that homeless and unemployed veterans who have received appropriate medical care and successfully completed rehabilitation and counseling programs for substance abuse problems or physical and emotional problems may need employment counseling and training to obtain employment.
V. Therefore, the legislature establishes a commission to develop a pilot program to aid displaced veterans in the areas of medical care, rehabilitation programs, temporary housing, and employment counseling and training. This pilot program shall be known as the "Peter Leonard veterans are our heroes program."
2 Commission Established. There is hereby established a commission to develop a pilot program to aid displaced veterans in the areas of medical care, rehabilitation programs, temporary housing, and employment counseling and training. The commission shall consist of the following members:
I. The commissioner of health and human services, or designee.
II. The director of the state veterans council, or designee.
III. One member of the state veterans' advisory committee, appointed by such committee.
IV. Two house members, appointed by the speaker of the house.
V. Two senate members, appointed by the senate president.
VI. Three members appointed by the governor, who shall have expertise in and knowledge of veterans' affairs.
3 Pilot Program. The commission shall develop a pilot program, to be known as the "Peter Leonard veterans are our heroes program." The program shall consist of 3 components:
I. Medical care and access to emergency medical care for uninsured veterans and rehabilitation programs for veterans with drug and alcohol abuse problems or physical and emotional problems.
II. Temporary and emergency housing for veterans who are homeless or in rehabilitation programs.
III. Employment counseling and training for veterans.
4 Meetings; Mileage. The commission shall meet within 30 days of the effective date of this act. The first-named house member shall call the first meeting. The commission shall elect a chairperson from among its members. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate.
5 Pilot Program Funding. The commission shall seek funding from all federal, state, and local sources available to fund veterans' programs. The commission shall also seek funding from businesses and educational organizations. The commission shall consider the possibility of credits against the business profits tax and business enterprise tax for businesses which invest in the pilot program.
6 Report. The commission shall prepare a report outlining the pilot program and its sources of funding and submit the report to the speaker of the house, the senate president, and the governor on or before November 15, 2000. The report shall include recommendations for legislation necessary to implement the pilot program to be introduced in the 2001 legislative session.
7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.