Sec. QQ-1. 37-B MRSA §505, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1997, c. 455, §25, is repealed.
Sec. QQ-2. 37-B MRSA §505, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:
1-A. Financial assistance. Financial assistance may be granted as follows.
A. The bureau may provide a grant of temporary assistance not to exceed $200 per month and not to exceed $600 in any 12-month period to a veteran in this State who has filed a valid claim for a veteran's pension, pending notification of the award of such a pension, if that veteran is not incarcerated and requests such assistance. For purposes of this paragraph, "claim for a veteran's pension" means a claim filed with the federal Veterans' Administration pursuant to 38 United States Code, Chapter 15.
B. The bureau may provide a grant of emergency assistance not to exceed $500 to a veteran who suffers an emergency, such as the loss of that veteran's home to fire, flood or hurricane, that is not fully compensable by insurance; illness or the illness of an immediate family member; or a similar emergency. No more than $1,000 in emergency assistance may be provided to a veteran in any 12-month period. For the purposes of this paragraph, "veteran" has the same meaning as "eligible veteran" in section 504, subsection 4, paragraph A-1.
C. A veteran who requests either temporary assistance under paragraph A or emergency assistance under paragraph B and is denied such assistance may request a reconsideration and review of this decision by the director. The decision of the director is final and may not be appealed to a court.
D. 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 II-A.
Sec. QQ-3. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Part.
2001-02
DEFENSE, VETERANS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF
Bureau of Veterans Services
Positions (1.000)
Personal Services $28,017
All Other 206,447
Provides funds for one Accountant I position, a computer and general operating costs to administer this program. This appropriation also includes $200,000 in fiscal year 2001-02 to provide aid to veterans. These funds may not lapse but must be carried forward until June 30, 2003 to be used for these purposes.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, VETERANS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ____________
TOTAL $234,464
| Revisor of Statutes Homepage | Subject Index | Search | Laws of Maine | Maine Legislature |
