Veteran Status.

An individual's status as a veteran is used as an eligibility requirement for various benefit and assistance programs. 

Benefits for general service status include, among others:

• certain services administered by the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA);
• license plates for disabled veterans and prisoners of war;
• admission to state soldiers' and veterans' homes;
• veterans' scoring preference on civil service exams;
• veteran homeownership down payment assistance programs; and
• license extensions for licenses issued by the Department of Licensing or the Department of Health.

A separate status is recognized for veterans who served in a period of war or conflict.  Such combat veterans may be eligible to receive additional benefits, including, but not limited to:

• higher scoring preference on civil service exams;
• participation in a designated shared leave pool program;
• special designated license plates;
• property tax relief from the veterans' widow and widower property tax exemption grant; and
• tuition waivers or reductions.

In addition, the state-sponsored retirement systems provide service credit to veterans who meet certain criteria.

Characterization of Service.

For the purpose of establishing eligibility for various benefits and programs, veteran status is generally recognized for a service member who received an honorable discharge or other excusable discharge.  Prior to its formal repeal in 2011, a United States Department of Defense policy established that a service member may receive an other than honorable discharge because of the service member's sexual orientation.

Qualifying Discharge.

The term "qualifying discharge" is added to provisions establishing various benefit programs for veterans, generally replacing references to "honorable discharge."  "Qualifying discharge" is defined as:

• a discharge with an honorable characterization of service;
• a discharge with a general under honorable conditions characterization of service;
• a discharge with an other than honorable characterization of service if the applicant provides certain documentation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs showing eligibility for or receipt of monetary benefits; or
• any characterization of service if the reason for discharge was listed as solely due to:
  • a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression;
  • statements, consensual sexual conduct, or consensual acts relating to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression unless the statements, conducts, or acts are or were prohibited by the Uniform Code of Military Justice on grounds other than the person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; or
  • the disclosure of statements, conduct, or acts relating to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to military officials.

To prove a "qualifying discharge," an individual must provide official documentation that shows the following to the agency administering the sought benefit or protection:

• the individual's characterization of service; and
• if an individual has a "qualifying discharge," the individual's reason for discharge or narrative reason for separation.

Repealed Statutes.

The provision establishing that a physical disability discharge is generally considered an honorable discharge for purposes of admitting certain veterans to the Washington State Bar Association is repealed.

The requirement that county auditors record certificates of discharge for veterans of World War I and the Spanish-American War is repealed.

Miscellaneous.

The bill is exempt from certain requirements regarding newly enacted tax preferences.

The WDVA is required to develop and implement an outreach program to ensure that veterans are aware of state veterans' benefits and programs.

(In support) This bill will create state veteran benefits eligibility for approximately 35,000 veterans in Washington who are currently eligible for federal benefits.  This bill will also create eligibility for any veteran who was separated solely as a result of anti-LGBTQ policies.  Veteran benefit programs, such as admission to veterans' homes, are an important safety net for veterans.  Current definitions of veteran in state law contribute to inequitable outcomes for certain populations, such as veterans with behavioral health issues.

(Opposed) None.

(Other) This bill does not provide additional funding to counties, who will be tasked with providing services to additional veterans.  The lack of funding in this bill will result in less assistance to each veteran.  The section of the bill requiring the WDVA to conduct an outreach program is very important.  The WDVA does not know the discharge status of all veterans in Washington, so the WDVA will have to conduct outreach to all veterans.

(In support) An investment in veterans and their families is an investment in Washington State.  Some of the provisions in the bill will bring additional federal reimbursement for veterans' programs being operated in the state, including veterans' homes and counties.  The Attorney General's Office has a technical amendment to offer to improve part of the bill.

(Opposed) None.

(In support) Representative Mike Volz, prime sponsor; Mariah Hanley and Rosa Mai, Attorney General's Office.

Nathan Olson, Attorney General's Office.