S.F. No. 2372 Summary

• County boards must appoint veterans service officers and provide necessary clerical help, office space, equipment, supplies, and reimbursement for mileage and travel expenses, effective July 1, 2010.

• Veterans service officers and assistant officers must be Minnesota residents, U.S. citizens, and veterans; those appointed must complete training on veterans affairs laws and regulations within six months of appointment.

• Commissioner of Veterans Affairs shall make department resources available to counties upon formal request, with consultation between the commissioner and county veteran service officer associations regarding available resources.

• Veterans service officers remain employees of counties under county jurisdiction and control, and shall use the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs or recognized U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs organizations to present veteran benefit claims.

• Counties noncompliant with assistant officer qualifications on July 1, 2010, must comply with requirements by June 30, 2013, and maintain compliance thereafter.