Chapter 41 Oregon Laws 2011

AN ACT

SB 241

Relating to information on veterans’ benefits; creating new provisions; amending section 3, chapter 851, Oregon Laws 2009; and repealing section 6, chapter 851, Oregon Laws 2009.

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

SECTION 1. Section 3, chapter 851, Oregon Laws 2009, is amended to read:

Sec. 3. (1) As used in this section, “agency” has the meaning given that term in ORS 183.310.

(2) In order to assist veterans in claiming federal benefits [and to assist agencies and county governments in claiming federal reimbursement for providing assistance and services to veterans], the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Oregon Military Department shall provide agencies [and county governments] with [printed] materials to inform individuals how to contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the reintegration team within the Oregon Military Department to request information about veterans’ benefits and services.

(3) An agency [or county government] shall:

(a) Make available in offices that are accessible to the public the information provided under subsection (2) of this section; and

(b) When appropriate, feasible and consistent with the agency’s [or county government’s] mission, make reasonable efforts to:

(A) Ask a customer or client who comes into contact with the agency if the customer or client is a veteran; and

(B) Provide the information provided under subsection (2) of this section to [customers or clients during face-to-face contacts] a customer or client who states that the customer or client is a veteran.

(4) An agency [or county government] may cooperate with elected officials, local governments, school districts and community colleges to implement other measures to direct customers or clients to the [department] Department of Veterans’ Affairs or the reintegration team within the Oregon Military Department to obtain information about veterans’ benefits and services.

(5) On or before October 1 of each even-numbered year, agency directors shall report to the appropriate interim committees of the Legislative Assembly on the effectiveness of measures undertaken to implement the provisions of this section.

(6) This section does not require an agency [or county government] to respond to inquiries from customers or clients about veterans’ benefits or services.

SECTION 2. Section 6, chapter 851, Oregon Laws 2009, is repealed.

SECTION 3. (1) The Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Oregon Military Department shall make available to establishments operated to provide food to indigent or needy persons information on how to contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the reintegration team within the Oregon Military Department to request information about veterans’ benefits and services.

(2) An establishment operated to provide food to indigent or needy persons that receives public funds shall:

(a) Make available to indigent or needy persons served the information provided under subsection (1) of this section; and

(b) When appropriate, feasible and consistent with the establishment’s mission, make reasonable efforts to:

(A) Ask a person who is provided food if the person is a veteran; and

(B) Provide the information provided under subsection (1) of this section to a person who is provided food and states that the person is a veteran.

Approved by the Governor May 16, 2011

Filed in the office of Secretary of State May 17, 2011

Effective date January 1, 2012

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