summary
Introduced
01/13/2025
01/13/2025
In Committee
01/13/2025
01/13/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
04/24/2025
04/24/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Veterans service officers. Defines "qualified part-time service officer". Establishes the county service officer grant fund to provide grants to counties for salaries for county service officers, including qualified part-time service officers. Requires the Indiana department of veterans' affairs commission (commission) to adopt rules establishing minimum annual salaries that a county must pay for county service officers, including qualified part-time service officers, in order for the county to receive a grant. Provides that the Indiana department of veterans' affairs (department) shall administer the fund. Requires a county or city service officer appointed or employed after June 30, 2025, to be accredited by the National Association of County Service Officers. Requires each county to appoint a county service officer. (Current law provides that a county may appoint a county service officer.) Requires a county that does not contain a consolidated city to employ: (1) a full-time service officer or two qualified part-time service officers if the county has at least 5,000 veterans residing in the county; and (2) an additional qualified part-time service officer for each additional 2,500 veterans. Requires a county containing a consolidated city to hire at least one full-time service officer or two qualified part-time service officers for each 10,000 veterans residing in the county. Requires that a county or city service officer appointed or employed before July 1, 2025, must be accredited by the National Association of County Service Officers before July 1, 2027. Makes an appropriation.
AI Summary
This bill establishes comprehensive new provisions for veterans service officers in Indiana, creating a county service officer grant fund and mandating specific requirements for county and city service officers. The legislation defines a "qualified part-time service officer" as someone working at least 20 hours per week who meets specific qualifications, and requires counties to employ service officers based on their veteran population (for non-consolidated counties, one full-time or two part-time officers for at least 5,000 veterans, with additional part-time officers for every 2,500 additional veterans; for counties with consolidated cities, at least one full-time or two part-time officers for every 10,000 veterans). The bill establishes a grant program where counties can receive $30,000 for each full-time service officer and $15,000 for each qualified part-time service officer, contingent upon meeting minimum salary requirements set by the Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs commission. Additionally, the bill requires all service officers appointed after June 30, 2025, to be accredited by the National Association of County Service Officers, with existing service officers required to obtain accreditation by July 1, 2027. The legislation also appropriates $2 million for each of the fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support the new grant fund, demonstrating a commitment to improving veterans' services at the county level.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Senator Tomes added as second author (on 01/28/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/senate/344/details |
| Fiscal Note #1: Introduced | https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/senate/bills/SB0344/fiscal-notes/SB0344.01.INTR.FN001.pdf |
| BillText | https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/senate/bills/SB0344/SB0344.01.INTR.pdf |
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