HB1062 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB098 02805 RPM 32813 b

98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
HB1062

Introduced , by Rep. Charles E. Jefferson

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 2805/40 new

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Creates the Illinois Disabled Service Member Task Force within the Department of Veterans Affairs to investigate the feasibility of establishing (1) a uniform, State-wide standard, specific to veterans, for determining the qualifications for who may be considered disabled and (2) a means by which State agencies that provide services and benefits to disabled persons and that have varied standards for qualifying as a disabled person may use the uniform, State-wide standard in providing services and benefits to disabled veterans. Sets forth provisions concerning Task Force members, reimbursement, and reporting of the Task Force's findings. Repeals the provision concerning the Task Force on February 1, 2014.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning military service.

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 40 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2805/40 new)

Sec. 40. Illinois Disabled Service Member Task Force. The Illinois Disabled Service Member Task Force is hereby created within the Department of Veterans' Affairs. The Task Force shall investigate the feasibility of establishing (1) a uniform, State-wide standard, specific to veterans, for determining the qualifications for who may be considered disabled and (2) a means by which State agencies that provide services and benefits to disabled persons and that have varied standards for qualifying as a disabled person may use the uniform, State-wide standard in providing services and benefits to disabled veterans. The Task Force shall be comprised of not more than 10 members and shall include the following:

(a) one representative of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, who shall chair the task force;

(b) one veteran appointed by the Director of Veterans' Affairs; and

(c) four members of the General Assembly, appointed one each by the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

Task Force members shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in performing duties associated with the Task Force. By January 1, 2014, the Task Force shall present a report of its findings to the General Assembly. This Section is repealed on February 1, 2014.