SB2626eng 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB2626 Engrossed LRB093 18496 DRJ 44212 b

AN ACT in relation to veterans.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Veterans Affairs Act is amended by adding Section 15 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2805/15 new)

Sec. 15. Reimbursements to veterans service organizations.

(a) In this Section:

"Veterans service officer" means an individual employed by a veterans service organization and accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to process and adjudicate claims and other benefits for veterans and their spouses and beneficiaries.

"Veterans service organization" means an organization that meets all of the following criteria:

(1) It is formed by and for United States military veterans.

(2) It is chartered by the United States Congress and incorporated in the State of Illinois.

(3) It maintains at least one office in this State staffed by a veterans service officer.

"Veterans services" means the processing and adjudication of the following claims and other benefits for veterans and their spouses and beneficiaries:

(1) Disability compensation benefits.

(2) Disability pension benefits.

(3) Dependents' indemnity compensation.

(4) Widow's death pension.

(5) Burial benefits.

(6) Confirmed and continued claims.

(7) Vocational rehabilitation and education.

(8) Waivers of indebtedness.

(9) Miscellaneous.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall reimburse a veterans service organization for veterans services rendered on behalf of veterans and their spouses and beneficiaries by a veterans service officer employed by the organization. The reimbursement shall be computed at the rate of $0.005 for each dollar of benefits obtained for veterans or their spouses or beneficiaries residing in Illinois as a result of the efforts of the veterans service officer. There shall be no reimbursement under this Section for the value of health care received in a health care facility under the jurisdiction of the United States Veterans Administration.

(c) To be eligible for reimbursement under this Section, a veterans service organization must document the amount of moneys obtained for veterans and their spouses and beneficiaries in the form and manner required by the Department. The documentation must include the submission to the Department of a copy of the organization's report or reports to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs stating the amount of moneys obtained by the organization for veterans and their spouses and beneficiaries in the State fiscal year for which reimbursement under this Section is requested. The organization must submit the copy of the report or reports to the Department no later than July 31 following the end of the State fiscal year for which reimbursement is requested.

(d) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall pay the reimbursement under this Section to a veterans service organization in a single annual payment for each State fiscal year, beginning with the State fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2003. Subject to appropriation, the Department must make the payment for a State fiscal year on or before December 31 of the succeeding State fiscal year.

(e) A veterans service organization shall use reimbursement moneys received under this Section only for the purpose of paying the salary and expenses of one or more veterans service officers and the organization's related expenses incurred in employing the officer or officers for the processing and adjudication of claims and other benefits for veterans and their spouses and beneficiaries.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.