HB3270 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 08112 KTG 48235 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB3270

Introduced 2/24/2011, by Rep. David Harris - Patricia R. Bellock - Jil Tracy - Richard Morthland

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 2805/37 new
30 ILCS 105/5.786 new

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act and the State Finance Act. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to establish and administer the Illinois Homeless Veterans Program to provide grants and per diems to facilities providing shelter and assistance to homeless persons who served as members of the Armed Forces of the United States, the Illinois National Guard, or any reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States, and who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Provides that the primary components of the program shall include advocacy for homeless veterans and increasing public awareness on the issue of homelessness among veterans and its root causes. Requires the Department to solicit federal and State funding, donations, and grants for the purpose of implementing the program. Creates the Illinois Homeless Veterans Program Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury for the purpose of implementing the program. Establishes the Homeless Veterans Service Coordinating Committee to discuss and research ways in which the veterans services provided by public and private agencies can be made more easily available and better focused to serve homeless veterans. 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 37 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2805/37 new)

Sec. 37. Illinois Homeless Veterans Program.

(a) The Department shall establish and administer the Illinois Homeless Veterans Program. The purpose of the program is to provide grants and per diems to facilities providing shelter and assistance to homeless persons who served as members of the Armed Forces of the United States, the Illinois National Guard, or any reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States, and who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. The mission of the Illinois Homeless Veterans Program shall be to work toward the elimination of homelessness and the prevention of the threat of homelessness and its causes in the State's veteran population. The primary components of the program shall be:

(1) Advocacy and public awareness. The program shall be an advocate for homeless veterans, and work to increase public awareness on the issue of homelessness among veterans and its root causes. The program shall advocate legislation and policies on the local, State, and national level to address these issues.

(2) Information services. The program shall monitor and research issues relating to homeless veterans and disseminate information and opportunities throughout its network.

(3) Technical assistance. The program, through conferences and training workshops with federal and State agencies, shall provide guidance and direction in applying for grants and benefits for homeless veterans. The program shall provide peer-to-peer consulting and on-site technical support.

(4) Facilities. The program, through grants and other sources of funding, shall provide facilities as appropriate in support of the program.

(b) The Department shall solicit federal and State funding, donations, and grants for the purpose of implementing the program established under this Section.

(c) The Illinois Homeless Veterans Program Fund is created as a special fund in the State Treasury for the purpose of implementing the Illinois Homeless Veterans Program. All monies received pursuant to this Section shall be deposited into the Illinois Homeless Veterans Program Fund. Funding for the program shall be used to develop a statewide network of:

(1) Veterans services that provide treatment for addictions, including but not limited to alcohol, drug use, and gambling.

(2) Veterans services that lead to permanent housing.

(3) Veterans services that lead to employment.

(4) Concerned citizens and non-profit agencies that provide shelter to homeless veterans.

(d) A Homeless Veterans Service Coordinating Committee shall be established. The committee's membership shall be comprised of representatives of public and private agencies who provide services that may be used by homeless veterans. The Director of the Department shall designate the agencies represented on the committee. The committee shall discuss and research ways in which veterans services provided by public and private agencies can be made more easily available and better focused to serve homeless veterans.

Section 10. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.786 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.786 new)

Sec. 5.786. The Illinois Homeless Veterans Program Fund.

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