HB3648 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 02801 CPF 13932 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB3648

Introduced 2/22/2021, by Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 2805/6 new

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Creates the Veterans' Disability Compensation Task Force to assess ways the State of Illinois can improve the rate at which disability compensation claims are approved by the federal government and correct the disparity between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' approval of disability compensation for Illinois veterans and that which is approved for veterans in other states. Provides that the Task Force shall consist of the chair and minority spokesperson of the Veterans' Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, the chair and minority spokesperson of the Veterans Affairs Committee in the Senate, and 15 members appointed by the chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives and the chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee in the Senate. Requires those appointed to the Task Force to be members of different Illinois counties' Veterans Assistance Commissions, Veteran Service Officers, and VITAS officials. Provides that Task Force members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for any travel expenses incurred in attending meetings. Provides that within 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Task Force shall meet, and thereafter shall meet at least quarterly. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to prepare a report that summarizes its work and makes recommendations resulting from its study. Provides that the Task Force shall submit the report of its findings and any recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before July 1, 2022. Repeals the amendatory Act's provisions on July 1, 2023. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

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 6 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2805/6 new)

Sec. 6. Veterans' Disability Compensation Task Force.

(a) The Veterans' Disability Compensation Task Force is created to assess ways the State of Illinois can improve the rate at which disability compensation claims are approved by the federal government and correct the disparity between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' approval of disability compensation for Illinois veterans and that which is approved for veterans in other states.

(b) The Task Force shall consist of the chair and minority spokesperson of the Veterans' Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, the chair and minority spokesperson of the Veterans Affairs Committee in the Senate, and 15 members appointed by the chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives and the chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee in the Senate. Those appointed to the Task Force shall be members of different Illinois counties' Veterans Assistance Commissions, Veteran Service Officers, and VITAS officials.

(c) Task Force members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for any travel expenses incurred in attending meetings. Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, the Task Force shall meet, and thereafter shall meet at least quarterly.

(d) The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force.

(e) The Task Force shall prepare a report that summarizes its work and makes recommendations resulting from its study. The Task Force shall submit the report of its findings and any recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before July 1, 2022.

(f) This Section is repealed on July 1, 2023.

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