CT HB05347

Requires the veterans' advocacy and assistance unit to conduct training courses for city and town veterans' service contact persons at least twice annually, including summaries of state and federal services, contact person duties, and available unit assistance.

Mandates the unit to develop a written outreach plan with strategies for reaching veterans and their families, and requires service officers to electronically track outreach activities and results.

Requires nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living facilities to electronically notify the veterans' advocacy and assistance unit twice annually of new veteran residents and the benefits they receive or are entitled to receive, in compliance with HIPAA requirements.

Directs the unit to create an annual visitation schedule for service officers to visit nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living facilities, and to provide quarterly reports to the Board of Trustees on concerns raised and petitions filed by veterans.

Requires cities and towns without separate veterans' advisory committees to designate an employee as a veterans' service contact person and notify the state within 30 days; all designated contact persons must complete unit training by January 1, 2017, or within one year of designation.