MN HF3224

Amends Minnesota Statutes section 197.05 to allow veterans required by court order to participate in substance abuse treatment or mental health counseling to receive grants without meeting standard financial qualification requirements.

Creates a new veterans nursing home tax credit allowing eligible veterans or individuals paying for eligible veterans in nursing homes to claim 50 percent of qualifying nursing home costs, with maximum credits of $30,000 for married couples filing separately and $60,000 for all other filers, effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015.

Requires the commissioners of veterans affairs, military affairs, and human services to jointly study and report by January 1, 2017 on the feasibility of extending medical assistance and MinnesotaCare coverage to veterans and National Guard members who meet federal health care eligibility guidelines.

Appropriates unspecified amounts in fiscal year 2017 for honor guard compensation at veteran funerals, grants to the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans for homeless prevention, the Domestic Abuse Project's change step program for veterans, the soldiers' assistance fund for mental health and substance abuse grants, and the State Court Administrator for veterans court development and support.