Signed by Governor Henry McMaster

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

A vote to pass a bill that establishes a state Department of Veterans Affairs.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to submit an annual written report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than December 31 of each year and must include the following requirements (Sec. 3):

• The number, nature, and kind of causes handled by the Department and by county and city veteran service offices of the state;

• The amount of benefits obtained for veterans;

• The names and addresses of all certified veteran service officers of the state;

• The current status and condition of the department’s domiciliary and nursing homes, including the number of residents received and discharged during the preceding year, occupancy rates, staffing, and all receipts and expenditures from the preceding year; and 

• Any actions taken by the Department to implement these provisions, including other information and recommendations as the Department deems necessary. 

• Requires the Department to apply for and administer any federal programs, and develop and coordinate such state programs as may be beneficial to the particular interests of the veterans of the state (Sec. 3). 

• Specifies that the duties of the Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs includes, but is not limited to (Sec. 3):

• Working with federal officials to obtain additional federal resources and coordinate veterans policy development and information exchange;

• Coordinating with appropriate state agencies to ensure that available federal and state resources are directed toward assisting veterans and addressing all issues of mutual concern on the state and the United States Armed Forces, including quality of life issues unique to the state’s military personnel and their families, quality of educational opportunities for military children, transportation needs, substance abuse, and social service needs;

• Monitoring and enhancing efforts to provide assistance and support for veterans living in the state, and members of the South Carolina National Guard and South Carolina residents in the armed forces reserves who are not in active federal service, in the areas of medical care, mental health and rehabilitation services, housing, homelessness prevention, job creation, and education;

• Settling claims, actions, causes of action, and legal proceedings brought against the Department or its employees acting within the scope of their employment;

• Accepting donations and gifts of property or grants of property on behalf of the Department in compliance with the law;

• Initiating the promulgation of regulations; and

• Submitting an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly.

Full Bill Text