MN HF1996

Commissioner shall make available alcohol and chemical dependency counseling services to any veteran of any United States armed forces branch upon separation or discharge from active military service and for up to 18 months following discharge.

Counseling services are deemed available if eligible persons can obtain them in a reasonably accessible manner and without cost through the Department of Veterans Affairs, TriCare, or another military medical program, provided the commissioner has made significant efforts to inform eligible veterans of service availability and procedures for obtaining them.

"Veteran" is defined as specified in Minnesota Statutes section 197.447.

Section becomes effective July 1, 2009.