72nd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2003 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 3531
 
                           A-Engrossed
 
                         House Bill 3609
                  Ordered by the Senate June 18
            Including Senate Amendments dated June 18
 
Sponsored by Representatives FARR, P SMITH, GALLEGOS;
  Representatives BUTLER, KNOPP, Senator WALKER
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
 
  Directs Department of Human Services to establish three pilot
programs to assist veterans, spouses or dependents in applying
for veterans' benefits. { +  Directs department to award funds to
area agency in which pilot program is established. Requires area
agency to use accredited veterans' service officers in pilot
program. + }
  Sunsets January 2, 2006.
  Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2003.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to veterans; and declaring an emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) On or before October 1, 2003, the
Department of Human Services shall establish three pilot programs
to assist any veteran or any spouse or dependent of a veteran in
applying for all veterans' benefits and aid to which the veteran,
spouse or dependent is entitled by federal, state or local laws,
rules and regulations.
  (2) Each pilot program shall:
  (a) Conduct outreach and provide information to individuals
regarding the availability of veterans' benefits;
  (b) Screen applicants for and recipients of medical assistance
and assist qualified veterans, spouses or dependents with
applying for veterans' benefits;
  (c) Assist individuals with applying for veterans' benefits;
and
  (d) Monitor the application process and assist the department
with seeking third party recovery.
  (3) The department shall establish one pilot program each in
the area agencies, as defined in ORS 410.040, in Multnomah,
Washington and Lane Counties. The area agency shall also provide
administrative oversight and collect data for the area agency's
pilot program.
  (4) For the purpose of operating the program, the department
shall award funds to the area agency in which a pilot program is
established. The area agency shall use accredited veterans'
 
service officers to conduct the activities of the pilot program
described in subsection (2) of this section. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + The Department of Human Services, in
conjunction with the area agencies described in section 1 (3) of
this 2003 Act, shall report to the Seventy-third Legislative
Assembly on the pilot programs established in section 1 of this
2003 Act on or before March 1, 2005. The report shall include the
number of applicants for and recipients of medical assistance who
received veterans' benefits as a result of the programs and the
savings to the General Fund realized as a result. + }
  SECTION 3.  { + Sections 1 and 2 of this 2003 Act are repealed
on January 2, 2006. + }
  SECTION 4.  { + The Department of Human Services shall conduct
the pilot programs described in section 1 of this 2003 Act within
the legislatively approved budget. + }
  SECTION 5.  { + This 2003 Act being necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this 2003 Act takes effect July 1,
2003. + }
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