HH5298 Summary

• Department of Veterans' Affairs must publish and maintain an informational website by July 1, 2012, listing all state and federal benefits, services, and programs available to veterans and their families, including eligibility requirements, contact information, and links.

• Commissioner of Veterans' Affairs shall publish a list of qualified veterans' charitable organizations starting July 1, 2013, with three-year listings that organizations can renew by reapplying with required documentation.

• Qualified veterans' charitable organizations must be established for benevolent, educational, philanthropic, patriotic, or advocacy purposes benefiting veterans and must be either a nonstock corporation operating for 3+ years or a tax-exempt organization under IRS Section 501(c) for 3+ consecutive years.

• Prohibits any person, firm, or corporation from fraudulently soliciting contributions on behalf of a veterans' charitable organization when the contributions would benefit an entity other than the stated organization, effective October 1, 2012.

• Violation of fraudulent solicitation provisions is a Class C misdemeanor.