S.F. No. 3309 Summary

• Amends Minnesota Statutes section 197.05 to require the commissioner of veterans affairs to issue grants to veterans court-ordered to participate in substance abuse treatment or mental health counseling, with presumed financial eligibility for those who qualified for public defender appointment or participate in veterans court.

• Creates a new veterans nursing home tax credit allowing eligible veterans or individuals paying for their nursing home care to claim 50 percent of qualified monthly expenses, with a maximum credit of $30,000 for married couples filing separately and $60,000 for all other filers.

• Requires a joint study by the commissioners of veterans affairs, military affairs, and human services on the feasibility of extending medical assistance and MinnesotaCare coverage to veterans and National Guard members meeting federal health care eligibility guidelines, with a report due by January 1, 2017.

• Appropriates unspecified amounts in fiscal year 2017 for honor guard compensation, homelessness prevention assistance through the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, domestic abuse prevention through the Change Step program, soldiers' assistance grants, and veterans courts development and support.