An Act To Amend the Veterans Service Laws
Sec. 1. 37-B MRSA §4, as repealed and replaced by PL 2013, c. 251, §2, is amended to read:
§ 4. Directors of bureaus
The Director of the Maine Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services and the Director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency shall perform civilian duties as assigned by the commissioner or Governor.
Sec. 2. 37-B MRSA §501, first ¶, as amended by PL 2015, c. 465, Pt. A, §2, is further amended to read:
The Maine Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services, referred to in this chapter as the "bureau," is established and shall provide informational services, program assistance, memorial facilities and financial aid to veterans in the State and their dependents in order to ensure that they receive all entitlements due under the law, are relieved to the extent possible of financial hardship, receive every opportunity for self-improvement through higher education and are afforded proper recognition for their service and sacrifice to the Nation. The bureau shall serve as the primary source of information for veterans in the State regarding all services, benefits and honors administered by the State and, to the maximum extent possible, services and benefits provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans' service organizations and other organizations dedicated to serving veterans.
Sec. 3. 37-B MRSA §502, as amended by PL 1997, c. 455, §18, is further amended to read:
§ 502. Director of Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services
The Director of the Maine Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services, referred to in this chapter as the "director," shall direct the operation of the bureau.
Sec. 4. 37-B MRSA §505, sub-§1-A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 415, Pt. A, §§24 and 25, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
The department may adopt rules to implement this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 5. Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause. In the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 37-B, chapter 7, in the chapter headnote, the words "bureau of maine veterans' services" are amended to read "maine bureau of veterans' services" and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or republishing the statutes.
SUMMARY
This bill makes the following changes to the laws governing veterans' services.
1. It changes the name of the Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services to the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services.
2. It removes the authority of the bureau to provide grants of temporary and emergency cash assistance to veterans. It authorizes the bureau to accept money to provide financial assistance to veterans and to award grants to organizations that provide assistance to veterans such as housing or emergency assistance.