Bill > HB06441

This bill proposes to increase staffing at the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Advocacy and Assistance by expanding the minimum number of staff from ten to nineteen, with specific requirements for veterans' service officers and clerical personnel. The bill mandates that the office will now have at least fourteen veterans' service officers (up from eight) and not less than three clerical personnel, with additional provisions that at least one service officer be a woman with demonstrated interest in women veterans' concerns, and at least two service officers have bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish. The bill maintains existing requirements for staff training, including completing a veterans' benefits course within one year of employment and attending annual training sessions focused on serving veterans, particularly women veterans and those from Spanish-speaking communities. The office is also required to develop and maintain a written outreach plan, electronically track outreach activities, visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and provide quarterly reports to the Board of Trustees for the Department of Veterans Affairs detailing veterans' concerns, petitions, and service interactions. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, and are designed to enhance support and advocacy for veterans and their families in Connecticut.

Budget and Finance, Military Affairs and Security

Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee (J)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB06441&which_year=2025