Chapter 759 Oregon Laws 2009

AN ACT

HB 2178

Relating to veterans’ service officers; creating new provisions; amending ORS 406.452; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, “community college” has the meaning given that term in ORS 341.005.

          (2) There is created in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs the Campus Veterans’ Service Officers Program.

          (3) The purpose of the program is to provide educational outreach to veterans to help ensure that they obtain maximum state and federal benefits.

          (4) The department shall appoint a sufficient number of campus veterans’ service officers to ensure that each Oregon community college and each institution in the Oregon University System, as described in ORS 352.002, is provided veterans’ services.

          (5) Each community college and institution in the Oregon University System shall provide office space that may be used for the provision of veterans’ services.

          (6) The department may adopt rules to implement the Campus Veterans’ Service Officers Program.

SECTION 2. ORS 406.452 is amended to read:

          406.452. The Director of Veterans’ Affairs may establish by rule a state certification program for veterans’ service officers appointed under ORS 408.410 or section 1 of this 2009 Act and other individuals providing similar services to ensure their competency. The program curriculum shall provide the training and education necessary to allow veterans’ service officers and other individuals to assist veterans, spouses and dependents of veterans or survivors of veterans in applying for all federal and state veterans’ benefits and aid to which veterans, spouses and dependents of veterans or survivors of veterans may be entitled and in appealing any denial of veterans’ benefits or aid. The curriculum shall include, but need not be limited to, training and education in the following areas:

          (1) Applicable federal, state and local laws providing benefits or aid for veterans, spouses and dependents of veterans or survivors of veterans and other benefits or aid for which veterans, spouses or dependents of veterans or survivors of veterans may be eligible;

          (2) Skills necessary to provide quality representation and advocacy on behalf of veterans, spouses or dependents of veterans or survivors of veterans, including case preparation and handling of administrative hearings and appeals;

          (3) Effective communication skills;

          (4) Health care, human services and referral resources; and

          (5) Claims management.

SECTION 3. This 2009 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2009 Act takes effect on its passage.

Approved by the Governor July 22, 2009

Filed in the office of Secretary of State July 22, 2009

Effective date July 22, 2009

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