5171 AMH CDHT KLEE 038

SB 5171 - H COMM AMD

By Committee on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs

    On page 3, beginning on line 15, after "honorable" strike "characterization of service" and insert "discharge;

(iv) A former member of the armed forces reserve or national guard who was released before their term ended and was released with an honorable discharge; or

    (v) A former member of the armed forces reserve or national guard who received a general discharge or honorable under general conditions discharge"

    On page 3, line 19 after "fund" insert "as the county determines necessary, which may include serving veterans with additional discharge characterizations"

EFFECT:

1) Modifies the definition of a "veteran" for the purposes of Veterans Assistance Fund eligibility to require a former member of the armed forces reserve or national guard who has fulfilled his or her initial military service obligation to have been released with an honorable discharge, rather than being released with a honorable characterization of service (honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions).

2) Allows military members who were provided an opportunity to leave the service before their term ended and were released with an honorable discharge or who received a general discharge or honorable under general conditions discharge to be eligible for county Veterans Assistance funds.

3) Clarifies that the discretion counties have to determine eligibility for Veterans Assistance funds includes the ability for counties to allow veterans discharged with any characterization to be eligible.

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