Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes programs to aid veterans in re-entering society.

Highlights:

• Establishes tuition waivers for the New Hampshire State University System and Community College System for the children of veterans who meet criteria including (Sec.1-2):

• Being totally and permanently disabled from a service-connected disability;

• Receiving a discharge other than dishonorable from service;

• Being domiciled in the state of New Hampshire; and

• Currently residing in New Hampshire. 

• Defines “child” as a biological, adopted, or step-child from marriage (Sec. 1-2).

• Requires tuition waiver applicants to apply to the board of trustees of the university system, complete the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA), and cooperate with the institution in filling out applications to offset the tuition waiver cost to the institution (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the board of trustees to require a determination of disability letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicating that the disability of the sponsoring veteran is permanent, total, and service-connected, that the discharge was other than dishonorable, and require proof of residency and of relationship to the child (Sec.1-2). 

• Requires the commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a Veteran Health Navigator Training Program for currently employed veteran service officers (Sec. 4).

• Requires the commissioner to identify and resolve barriers to access to mental health services and treatment for veterans that do not require legislative or budgetary action, and to submit an annual report containing steps that do require such action (Sec. 4).

• Requires the commissioner to apply for grants focused on veteran suicide preventions, provide technical assistance to communities to develop strategic plans to reduce veteran suicide, and evaluate the strategic plans to identify best practices (Sec. 4).

• Establishes a centralized provider database, which identifies mental health providers with the ability to assist veterans by region, and a continuing education course for mental health providers focused on veteran suicide assessment, prevention, treatment, and risk management (Sec. 4).

• Requires the commissioner to produce a report on the impact of Medicaid expansion for veterans, and any recommendations, legislative, or budgetary actions identified in program evaluations, by April 1, 2021 (Sec. 5).

• Prohibits veteran-owned business borrowers from being required to pay a fee or contribution to the Capital Access Program (CAP) fund (Sec. 6).

• Requires the commissioner to publish a monthly report online detailing the state’s workforce needs projections for veterans by industry, job type, geography, and needed credentials (Sec. 7). 

• Requires the Adjutant General in cooperation with the Departments of Labor and Employment Security, to produce an annual report detailing all apprentice, training, and other vocational programs for returning military service members and veterans (Sec. 7).

• Requires the Adjutant General to disseminate information about the Military Skills Test Waiver Program to veterans with relevant experience (Sec. 8).

• Requires the Adjutant General and the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification to develop a plan to increase the acceptance of military training and experience toward professional licensing (Sec. 8).

• Establishes the End Veterans Homelessness Program with the goal to end veteran homelessness in 3 years (Sec. 8).

• Requires institutions within the New Hampshire State University System and Community College System that offer an early course registration period to offer it to veterans and national guard members (Sec. 10-11).

• Requires institutions within the New Hampshire State University System and Community College System to refund or credit students called to active duty in the armed forces without credits awarded, or allow them to complete coursework within 12 months if the student attended regularly for at least 85 percent of the term’s work (Sec. 10-11).

• Requires institutions within the New Hampshire State University System and Community College System to grant veterans credit towards their degree for the completion of applicable military training or service courses (Sec. 11).

• Specifies that some provisions of this bill require the creation of 3 Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services positions including (Sec. 15):

• A Program Specialist to administer the Military Skills Test Waiver Program and work to increase the acceptance of military training toward licensure;

• A Program Specialist to administer the End Veterans Homelessness Program; and 

• A Grant Program Coordinator to apply for federal grants for veterans and assist in the administration of the Veteran Health Navigator Training Program.

• Authorizes sworn-in active members of the New Hampshire National Guard to take courses tuition-free in post-secondary institutions (Sec. 17).

• Authorizes children in state foster care or guardianship to obtain tuition waivers for part-time enrollment in postsecondary institutions (Sec. 20).

• Prohibits discrimination based on an applicants’ or employees’ law enforcement, military, or veteran status within the state college and university system, and community college system (Sec. 22-23).

Full Bill Text