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Indicates Matter Stricken
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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
COMMITTEE REPORT
March 13, 2019
H. 3438
Introduced by Reps. Pitts, McCravy, B. Cox, Huggins, Cobb-Hunter, Hixon, W. Cox, Taylor, Davis, Caskey and Mace
S. Printed 3/13/19--S. [SEC 3/14/19 12:57 PM]
Read the first time February 28, 2019.
To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3438) to amend Section 25-11-10, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to the Division of Veterans Affairs, so as to establish the division within, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. Section 1-30-10(A) of the 1976 Code is amended by adding an appropriately numbered new item at the end to read:
"__. Department of Veterans' Affairs"
SECTION 2. Chapter 30, Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 1-30-130. There is hereby created, within the executive branch of the state government, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, headed by a secretary appointed by the Governor pursuant to Section 25-11-20. The employees, funds, authorized appropriations, property, assets, liabilities, and all contractual rights and obligations associated with the Division of Veterans' Affairs of the Department of Administration established by Section 25-11-10, et seq. prior to July 1, 2019, are hereby transferred to and incorporated in and shall be administered as part of the Department of Veterans' Affairs."
SECTION 3. Chapter 11, Title 25 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
Section 25-11-10. (A) A Division The Department of Veterans' Affairs is hereby created in the Department of Administration within the executive branch of the state government for the purpose of assisting ex-servicemen former, present, and future members of the armed forces of the United States in securing the benefits to which they are entitled under the provisions of federal legislation and under the terms of insurance policies issued by the federal government for their benefit. Powers, duties, and functions to be vested in the department shall include all those powers, duties, and functions involving cooperation with other governmental units, such as cities and counties, or with the federal government agencies concerned with participation in federal grants-in-aid programs relating to veterans and veterans' affairs. This division The department shall be under the direct supervision of receive advice and recommendations from a panel consisting of the Governor as chairman, the Attorney General for the purpose of giving legal advice, and the Adjutant and Inspector General.
(B) The department may promulgate regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter.
(C) The department may apply for and accept funds, grants, gifts, and services from the State, the United States Government or any of its agencies, or any other public or private source and may use funds derived from these sources to defray clerical and administrative costs, as may be necessary for carrying out the department's duties.
(D) The department shall submit an annual written report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than December thirty-first of each year. The annual report shall describe:
(1) the number, nature, and kind of cases handled by the department and by county and city veteran service officers of the State;
(2) the amounts of benefits obtained for veterans;
(3) the names and addresses of all certified veteran service officers of the State;
(4) the current status and condition of the department's domiciliary and nursing homes, including the number of residents received and discharged during the preceding year, occupancy rates, staffing, and all receipts and expenditures from the preceding year; and
(5) any actions taken by the department to implement the provisions of this subsection, including other information and recommendations as the department considers prudent or necessary.
(E) The department shall administer this chapter and shall have the authority and responsibility to apply for and administer any federal programs and develop and coordinate such state programs as may be beneficial to the particular interests of the veterans of this State.
Section 25-11-20. (A) For the purpose of carrying on this work the Governor shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, a Director secretary of the Division of Veterans' Affairs department, who is charged with the duty of assisting all ex-servicemen veterans, regardless of the wars in which their service may have been rendered, in filing, presenting, and prosecuting to final determination all claims which they have for money compensation, hospitalization, training, and insurance benefits under the terms of federal legislation.
(B) The Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs secretary must be a person veteran, as defined in Section 25-11-40, who is well versed in federal legislation relating to these matters and the rules, regulations, and practice of the Veterans Administration as created by Congress and must be appointed by the Governor.
(C) Before the appointment, the Governor shall receive a recommendation from (1) the executive committee of the American Legion, Department of South Carolina, (2) the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Department of South Carolina, and (3) the Disabled American Veterans. The Governor is not required to appoint the person recommended. and he The secretary is subject to removal by the Governor pursuant to the provisions of Section 1-3-240(B).
(D) The secretary's duties shall include:
(1) working with federal officials to obtain additional federal resources and coordinate veterans policy development and information exchange;
(2) coordinating with appropriate state agencies to ensure that available federal and state resources are directed toward assisting veterans and addressing all issues of mutual concern to the State and the armed forces of the Unites States, including quality of life issues unique to South Carolina's military personnel and their families, quality of educational opportunities for military children, transportation needs, substance abuse, and social service needs;
(3) monitoring and enhancing efforts to provide assistance and support for veterans living in South Carolina and members of the South Carolina National Guard and South Carolina residents in the armed forces reserves not in active federal service in the areas of medical care, mental health and rehabilitative services, housing, homelessness prevention, job creation, and education;
(4) settling claims, actions, causes of action, and legal proceedings brought against the department or its employees acting within the scope of their employment;
(5) accepting donations and gifts of property or grants of money on behalf of the department in compliance with the law;
(6) initiating the promulgation of regulations;
(7) performing other such functions as may be necessary to supervise, direct, conduct, and administer the daily duties of the department as authorized by law or by rules and policies; and
(8) submitting an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly, pursuant to Section 25-11-10(D).
Section 25-11-30. (A) The office of the division herein provided for department shall be located in Columbia in space provided by the Department of Administration.
(B) The Department of Administration may provide administrative support to the department for the performance of its duties, including, but not limited to, financial accounting support, human resources administrative support, information technology shared services support, procurement services, and logistical support.
Section 25-11-40. (A) For the purpose of this section, 'veteran' means a person who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States for a period of more than one hundred eighty days and was discharged or released from such active duty with an honorable discharge or, if one hundred eighty days or less, was discharged or released from service active duty because of and who was honorably discharged or released from such service due to a service-connected disability.
(B) Subject to the recommendation of a majority of the Senators representing the county and a majority of the House members representing the county, the secretary Director of the Division of Veterans Affairs shall appoint a county veterans veterans' affairs officer for each county in the State, whose term of office shall begin July first of each odd-numbered year and shall continue for a term of two years and until a successor shall be appointed. A county veterans affairs officer must be a qualified veteran who served on active duty for a period of more than one hundred eighty days and was discharged or released from such active duty with an honorable discharge or, if one hundred eighty days or less, was discharged or released from such active duty because of a service-connected disability; otherwise, a county veterans affairs officer may be a qualified nonveteran, if any veteran being considered for the post is not as qualified as a nonveteran being considered for the post. Qualifications shall be determined by the county legislative delegation upon a majority vote of the Senators representing the county and a majority of the House members representing the county. A county veterans veterans' affairs officer is an at-will employee of the department, subject to removal for cause at any time by the secretary, a majority of the Senators representing the county, and a majority of the House members representing the county.
(C) All county veterans veterans' affairs officers must successfully complete a comprehensive course of training and be issued accreditation within one year following initial appointment, either through the Division of Veterans Affairs department or through an accredited national veterans veterans' service organization. A training council from the South Carolina Association of County Veterans Affairs Officers, in conjunction with the Division of Veterans Affairs department or through an accredited national veterans veterans' service organization, shall develop the training criteria. Training and accreditation must be provided by the Division of Veterans Affairs department or through an accredited national veterans veterans' service organization. A county veterans veterans' affairs officer who does not complete the required training and receives accreditation within the first year following appointment is ineligible for reappointment by the county legislative delegation. Additionally, in order to maintain accreditation, refresher training is required yearly.
(D)(1) In Berkeley County, appointments made pursuant to this section are governed by the provisions of Act 159 of 1995.
(2) In Dorchester County, appointments made pursuant to this section are governed by the provisions of Act 512 of 1996.
(3) In Georgetown County, appointments made pursuant to this section are governed by the provisions of Act 515 of 1996.
Section 25-11-45. Notwithstanding Section 1-30-110(4), a County Veterans Affairs Office county veterans' affairs office must be funded with monies appropriated by the General Assembly for that purpose and payable directly to the County Treasurer's Office by the State Treasurer.
Section 25-11-50. The secretary Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs shall establish uniform methods and procedure for the performance of service work among the several county officers, maintain contact and close cooperation with such officers, and provide assistance, advice and instructions with respect to changes in law and regulations and administrative procedure in relation to the application of such laws and he may require from time to time reports from such county veterans veterans' affairs officers, reflecting the character and progress of their official duties.
Section 25-11-60. The county veterans veterans' affairs officers shall render semiannually a complete report of their acts and doings to the county legislative delegation of their respective counties upon uniform forms to be furnished by the secretary Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs.
Section 25-11-70. (A) The Division of Veterans' Affairs department shall assist the South Carolina Agent Orange Advisory Council and the Agent Orange Information and Assistance Program at the Division of Health and Environmental Control in carrying out the purposes of Chapter 40 of Title 44. The Division of Veterans' Affairs department shall:
(1) refer veterans to appropriate state and federal agencies or other available resources for treatment of adverse health conditions which may have resulted from possible exposure to chemical agents, including Agent Orange;
(2) assist veterans in filing compensation claims for disabilities that may have resulted from possible exposure to chemical agents, including Agent Orange;
(3) communicate the concerns of veterans related to exposure to chemical agents, including Agent Orange, to appropriate state and federal officials.
(B) The division department may request that the Attorney General represent a class of individuals composed of veterans who may have suffered adverse health conditions as a result of possible exposure to chemical agents, including Agent Orange, in a suit for release of information relating to the exposure to these chemicals during military service and for release of individual medical records.
Section 25-11-75. (A) The secretary Director of the Division of Veterans Affairs shall appoint an additional claims representative within the Division of Veterans Affairs department, who, in addition to being charged with the duty of assisting all ex-servicemen veterans, regardless of the wars in which their service may have been rendered, in filing, presenting, and prosecuting to final determination all claims which they have for money compensation, hospitalization, training, and insurance benefits under the terms of federal legislation, shall also specialize in the specific needs and diseases associated with veterans of the Vietnam era. The person appointed as a claims representative under this section must be versed in federal legislation relating to these matters and the rules, regulations, and practice of the Veterans Administration as created by Congress.
(B) Subject to the direction of the director secretary, and in addition to other duties prescribed in this section, the claims representative appointed pursuant to this section may represent the Division of Veterans Affairs department on the South Carolina Agent Orange Advisory Council and on the Hepatitis C Coalition established by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, assist the Division of Veterans Affairs department in carrying out its duties in connection with the Agent Orange Information and Assistance program, represent the director secretary in connection with functions relating to Vietnam veterans, and perform other duties as may be assigned by the director secretary.
(C) The position created by this section is a classified position subject to Article 3, Chapter 11, Title 8 of the 1976 Code. In the general appropriations act for fiscal year 2001-2002 and thereafter, the General Assembly shall add the position in the budget for the Division of Veterans Affairs department and provide for its funding.
Section 25-11-80. (A) In For the purposes of this section:
(1) 'state veterans' cemetery' 'State veterans' cemetery' means a cemetery that the Division of Veterans Affairs department establishes under this section; and
(2) 'immediate family' 'Immediate family' means those family members who are eligible for burial in a Department of Veterans Affairs department national cemetery.
(B) The division department may establish one or more cemeteries in the State for the burial of veterans and their immediate families.
(C) The division department may accept land, in the name of the State, or otherwise acquire land for a state veterans' cemetery, if the division department has the approval of:
(1) the governing body of the county where the state veterans' cemetery is to be located;
(2) the delegation in the General Assembly for the county where the state veterans' cemetery is to be located; and
(3) the Department of Administration Governor.
(D) The division department shall maintain and supervise each state veterans' cemetery.
(E)(1) Subject to the limitations in this section, the division department shall provide a plot in a state veterans' cemetery, without charge, to an applicant who meets the requirements of this section.
(2) In the order in which the division department receives the applications for plots, the division department shall allot a plot in the state veterans' cemetery that is closest to the residence of the veteran and has an available plot.
(F)(1) To qualify for a plot in a state veterans' cemetery, the applicant must be a veteran or a member of the immediate family of a veteran who meets the requirements of this subsection.
(2) The veteran must have an honorable discharge from the Armed Forces.
(3) The veteran must have been a resident of the State:
(a) when the veteran entered the Armed Forces;
(b) when the veteran or eligible family member died; or
(c) for five years, unless for a reason that the division department finds compelling, the division department waives the time period.
(G) To obtain a plot in a state veterans' cemetery, an applicant shall submit to the division department an application on the form that the division department provides.
(H) In a plot that is allotted to a veteran, the division department shall bury:
(1) the veteran; and
(2) any member of the immediate family of the veteran if the family member can be buried in a space above or below the veteran.
(I)(1) The division department shall bury the veteran without charge.
(2) For burial of a member of the immediate family, the division department may:
(a) set a fee that does not exceed the cost of burial; or
(b) accept, from the social security burial allowance, an amount that does not exceed the cost of the burial.
(J) The division department shall keep a registry of the graves of veterans who are buried in the state veterans' cemeteries.
Section 25-11-90. (A)(1) The Division of Veterans Affairs department shall prepare a complete roster of all South Carolina members of the United States military who served on active duty during:
(1)(a) the Korean conflict;
(2)(b) the Vietnam conflict;
(3)(c) Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada);
(4)(d) Operation Just Cause (Panama);
(5)(e) Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (Iraq and Kuwait);
(6)(f) Operation Restore Hope (Somalia);
(7)(g) Operations Joint Guard, Joint Forge, and Joint Endeavor (Bosnia-Herzegovina);
(8)(h) Operation Joint Guardian (Kosovo);
(9)(i) Operation Noble Eagle (Homeland Defense); and
(10)(j) Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (Afghanistan, Horn of Africa, Iraq, and Philippines).
(2) This roster shall also include veterans born in South Carolina who served on active duty but may have enlisted in another state. Upon returning to South Carolina, that veteran's name must be added to the roster.
(3) The list must be periodically updated to include persons who serve on active duty or are mobilized in any subsequent named military operation in which United States military personnel are engaged in armed conflict or any future war declared by the United States Congress.
(B) The roster shall contain the principal items of record of all military personnel included on the roster as shown by the service cards or records in the Office of State Selective Service, the Adjutant General, and the Department of Defense of the United States. The roster must be arranged in a manner to make the information readily accessible.
(C) The roster also shall contain an Order of Battle to include the name and location of assignment of every unit of the South Carolina National Guard and every active and reserve unit based in South Carolina participating in any of the conflicts listed in subsection (A). The Order of Battle must be periodically updated in conjunction with the roster.
(D) The Division of Veterans Affairs department shall secure printing of the roster, and a copy or set must be delivered to the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Department Headquarters of the American Legion and Auxiliary, Department Headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary, Department Headquarters of the Disabled American Veterans, county libraries, and each county Veterans Affairs Service Officer veterans' affairs service officer. Any remaining copies must be placed in the Office office of the Division of Veterans Affairs department for distribution as needed.
(E) The preparation and distribution of the roster is subject to the availability of funds as appropriated by the General Assembly to the Department of Administration, Division of Veterans' Affairs department for this purpose. These rosters and their distribution must be maintained and updated based on workloads and availability of funds.
(F) The inclusion of a person's name on the roster does not entitle the person to any additional benefits or any benefits for which the person would not otherwise qualify.
Section 25-11-100. (A) There is hereby established the South Carolina Military Base Task Force for the purpose of enhancing the value of military installations and facilities and the quality of life for military personnel located in this State. The task force shall assist military communities with such value enhancement, address the various incentives to military personnel assigned in this State, coordinate the efforts of the military communities, and provide for other methods and incentives to accomplish these purposes. The task force shall coordinate efforts among the public and the private sectors to maintain a significant United States Department of Defense presence in South Carolina. The task force shall advise the Governor and the General Assembly on any issues and strategies related to military base closures, realignments, and mission changes.
(B)(1) The task force shall be comprised of the following members or their designees:
(a) South Carolina Adjutant General;
(b) Secretary of the South Carolina Department of Commerce;
(c) Executive Director of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce;
(d) Chief Executive Officer of the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce;
(e) Chief Executive Officer of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce;
(f) Chief Executive Officer of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce;
(g) Chief Executive Officer of the Sumter Chamber of Commerce;
(h) Chairperson of Beaufort County Council;
(i) Chairperson of Berkeley County Council;
(j) Chairperson of Dorchester County Council;
(k) Chairperson of Charleston County Council;
(l) Chairperson of Richland County Council;
(m) Chairperson of Sumter County Council;
(n) Mayor of Beaufort;
(o) Mayor of Charleston;
(p) Mayor of Columbia;
(q) Mayor of North Charleston;
(r) Mayor of Port Royal;
(s) Mayor of Sumter;
(t) one or more members of the Senate or the House of Representatives appointed by the Governor; and
(u) five at-large members appointed by the Governor who have demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: economic development, defense industry, military installation operation, environmental issues, finance, local government, or senior military leadership, of whom:
(i) four shall represent, respectively, the four military communities of Beaufort, Charleston, Columbia, and Sumter, and each shall reside in the military community that he is appointed to represent; and
(ii) the fifth at-large member shall serve as the task force chairman.
(2) The Governor may designate any one of the members of the task force as its vice-chairman.
(C) Staff support and other resources as necessary may be provided through funding by the General Assembly and/or other resources, which shall be administered by the department to assist the task force in carrying out the directives of this section.
(D) The task force chairman shall appoint an executive committee consisting of the chairman; vice-chairman, if any; Adjutant General, or his designee; Secretary of Commerce, or his designee; Executive Coordinator, if any; and the four at-large task force members who represent the four military communities of Beaufort, Charleston, Columbia, and Sumter.
(E) The task force executive committee shall also act as an executive advisory committee to the Governor and the General Assembly on various military matters that affect this State and shall coordinate an annual meeting between the Governor, military commanders, and General Assembly members geographically representing military communities to discuss items of interest to all parties and exchange pertinent information on the current climate and challenges facing our state's military installations and their personnel.
(F) Upon the approval of the secretary, the task force may pursue specialists to provide information and assistance, develop strategic plans, and assist in executing strategies to support military installations and their related military communities to maximize the potential for increased investment by the United States Department of Defense or other defense-related federal agencies and defense-related businesses in this State.
Section 25-11-310. As used in For the purposes of this article:
(1) 'Active duty' means military service performed as State Active Duty under the South Carolina Military Code, or corresponding provisions of the applicable state statute for South Carolina residents who are National Guard members of other states; military service performed under the provisions of Title 32, United States Code; or military service performed under the provisions of Title 10, United States Code.
(2) 'Division' 'Department' means the Division Department of Veterans' Affairs in the Department of Administration.
(3) 'Duty as a result of September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks' means active duty service of a minimum of thirty consecutive days, directly related to the President's Partial Mobilization Authority in response to the attacks, (currently referred to as Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom); any future operations as determined by the President; or any future operations as determined by the Governor of the State.
(4) 'Families of members' means a husband, wife, child, mother, father, brother, sister, or other person who has been approved as a dependent and is enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) in accordance with applicable military regulations. A custodial parent or guardian of a member's dependent may apply for a grant on behalf of that dependent.
(5) 'Next of kin' means the person listed as next of kin for the member in DEERS. In the case of multiple entries for next of kin, the first person listed is considered next of kin for the purposes of this article.
Section 25-11-320. There is established in the State Treasury a fund separate and distinct from the general fund of the State and all other funds entitled the South Carolina Military Family Relief Fund. Earnings on this fund must be credited to it and a balance in the fund at the end of a fiscal year does not lapse to the general fund of the State but is instead carried forward in the fund to the succeeding fiscal year and used for the same purposes. The fund is not subject to mid-year budget reductions. Revenues of the fund include amounts donated to it pursuant to the state individual income tax return as provided in Section 12-6-5060, other grants or donations made to the fund, regardless of source, and amounts as may be appropriated to the fund by the General Assembly. The division department may award grants from the fund in the manner and for the purposes provided in this article. Grants awarded may not at any time exceed the fund balance at the time of the grant.
Section 25-11-330. (A) The intent of this article is to provide an opportunity on standard individual income tax forms to allow individual taxpayers and other donors to contribute to the South Carolina Military Family Relief Fund, and to provide the division department the authority to award grants from the fund to families of South Carolina National Guard members or other Reserve component members, to include the Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve, and including National Guard members of other states, who are South Carolina residents and were called to active military service as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
(B) The grants must be in the form of three types of payments:
(1) payments based on the need of the member or the member's family as determined eligible under Section 25-11-340.
(2) payments based on the member's status as a member of the South Carolina National Guard or other Reserve component, made to the member or the member's family as determined eligible under Section 25-11-350.
(3) payments to the member's next of kin as determined eligible under Section 25-11-360.
Section 25-11-340. (A) The grant applicant must show proof of the following:
(1) The applicant is a member of the South Carolina National Guard or a South Carolina resident who is a member of another United States Armed Forces Reserve component, applying on behalf of the applicant's family, or is a family member of that member. Proof of residency for military members consists of information obtained from DEERS. Proof of a familial relationship also consists of information obtained from DEERS.
(2) The South Carolina National Guard or Reserve component member was on active military duty for at least thirty consecutive days as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Proof of active duty consists of a copy of the orders issued by an authorized headquarters ordering the member to this duty and documentation showing this duty was actually performed. Eligible active duty includes any active duty since September 11, 2001.
(3) A copy of a payroll record from the member's civilian employer that indicates member's monthly salary plus a copy of a military payroll record that indicates the member's monthly salary.
(4) Proof that the military salary, including Basic Allowance for Housing, of the member has decreased by thirty percent or greater from the applicant's civilian salary.
(5) Proof that the member or family member has incurred or is about to incur a specific monetary expense relating to clothing, food, housing, utilities, medical services, medical prescriptions, insurance or vehicle payments. This proof includes, but is not limited to, a copy of a bill, invoice, estimate, cancellation notice, or any other similar record.
(6) A signed statement that the grant request is for the purpose identified in the application and that the grant funds will be used for the purposes requested.
(7) The South Carolina National Guard or Reserve component member holds a pay grade no higher than O-3, if a commissioned officer, or W-2, if a warrant officer. Individuals or families are eligible for the grant based upon rank at the time of the mobilization. Proof of pay grades consists of information obtained from DEERS.
(8) If a custodial parent or guardian is applying for a grant on behalf of a member's dependent, then the custodial parent or guardian must provide proof of guardianship of a member's dependent currently enrolled in DEERS.
(9) The division department may waive the requirements in subsection (A)(4) upon a written request indicating the circumstances justifying such a waiver, and upon proof that there has in fact been some decrease from the member's civilian salary. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, death, injury, or incapacity of the member, long-term deployment of the member, and unexpected expenses incurred by the member's family. The division department may use discretion in granting or denying these requests.
(B) The following members are ineligible to receive grants:
(1) all commissioned and warrant officers with pay grades of O-4 and W-3, or higher;
(2) personnel serving in Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) or similar full-time unit support programs unless called to Title 10 service;
(3) members who are unmarried and have no family members enrolled in DEERS;
(4) members who, at any time before the disbursement of funds pursuant to a grant application under this section, receive a punitive discharge, or an administrative discharge with service characterized as Under Other Than Honorable Conditions.
Section 25-11-350. (A) The grant applicant must show proof of the following:
(1) The applicant is a member of the South Carolina National Guard or a South Carolina resident who is a member of another United States Armed Forces Reserve component, applying on behalf of the applicant's family or is a family member of that member. Proof of residency for military members consists of information obtained from the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Proof of a familial relationship also consists of information obtained from DEERS.
(2) The South Carolina National Guard or Reserve component member was on active military duty for at least thirty consecutive days as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Proof of active duty consists of a copy of the orders issued by an authorized headquarters ordering the member to this duty and documentation showing that this duty was actually performed. Eligible active duty includes any active duty since September 11, 2001.
(3) The South Carolina National Guard or Reserve component member holds a pay grade no higher than O-3, if a commissioned officer, or W-2, if a warrant officer. Individuals or families are eligible for the grant based upon rank at the time of mobilization. Proof of pay grades consists of information obtained from DEERS.
(B) The following members are ineligible to receive grants:
(1) all commissioned and warrant officers with pay grades of O-4 and W-3, or higher;
(2) personnel serving in Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) or similar full-time unit support programs unless called to Title 10 service;
(3) members who are unmarried and who have no family members enrolled in DEERS;
(4) members who receive a punitive discharge or an administrative discharge with service characterized as Under Other Than Honorable Conditions.
Section 25-11-360. (A) The grant applicant must show proof of the following:
(1) The applicant is a member of the South Carolina National Guard or a South Carolina resident who is a member of another United States Armed Forces Reserve component, applying on behalf of the applicant's family, or is next of kin of that member. Proof of residency for military members consists of information obtained from DEERS. Proof of a familial relationship also consists of information obtained from DEERS.
(2) The South Carolina National Guard or Reserve component member was on active military duty for at least thirty consecutive days as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Proof of active duty consists of a copy of the orders issued by an authorized headquarters ordering the member to this duty and documentation showing that this duty was actually performed.
(3)(a) A statement signed by the member stating that the member sustained a service-connected injury or illness; or
(b) A statement signed by the member's next of kin that the member was killed in action, is missing in action, or is a prisoner of war.
(4) Proof of next of kin status includes, but is not limited to, an affidavit signed by the applicant or information obtained from DEERS.
(5) The division department may waive the thirty-day requirement in subsection (A)(2) upon a written request indicating the circumstances justifying the waiver. The division department may use discretion in granting or denying these requests.
(6) The division department must verify with the United States Department of Defense that the member has been wounded or killed, is missing in action, is a prisoner of war, or was otherwise incapacitated while on active duty. No payments may be made without this verification.
(B) Applications submitted under this section take precedence over all other applications.
(C) Members who, at any time before the disbursement of funds pursuant to a grant application under this section, receive a punitive discharge or an administrative discharge with service characterized as Under Other Than Honorable Conditions, are ineligible to receive grants pursuant to this section.
Section 25-11-370. (A) Payments to a South Carolina National Guard or Reserve component member's family pursuant to Section 25-11-340 may not exceed two thousand dollars, to include any amounts paid pursuant to provisions of Section 25-11-380 during a state fiscal year.
(B) If a grant payment is to be used for the purpose of payments for food, housing, utilities, medical services or medical prescriptions, it may be noted on the application.
(C) No additional applications from a member or a member's family may be accepted within one hundred eighty days from receipt of any prior applications.
(D) All grants must be paid directly to the applicant. Payments must not be made directly to creditors.
(E) The division department may waive the requirements in subsections (A) and (C) of this section upon a written request indicating the circumstances justifying the waiver. The division department may use discretion in granting or denying these requests. However, in no event may payments authorized pursuant to this section exceed three thousand dollars during any state fiscal year.
Section 25-11-380. (A) All grants pursuant to Section 25-11-350 must be a flat rate of five hundred dollars unless the number of requests and fund balance necessitate a lesser amount as determined by the division department.
(B) South Carolina National Guard or Reserve component members' families may receive a grant only one time in each fiscal year and only one time for each active duty order.
(C) All grants must be paid directly to the applicant. Payments must not be made directly to creditors.
Section 25-11-390. (A) All grants pursuant to Section 25-11-360 must be a flat rate of one thousand dollars unless the number of requests and fund balance necessitate a lesser amount as determined by the division department.
(B) South Carolina National Guard or Reserve component members or next of kin may receive a grant only one time for each active duty order.
(C) All grants must be paid directly to the applicant. Payments must not be made directly to creditors.
Section 25-11-400. (A) The procedures governing the acceptance of applications are as follows:
(1) To receive consideration for a grant, applicants must request and submit an application provided by the division department.
(2) All necessary documentation must be included with the application unless otherwise provided pursuant to DEERS and the applicant shall authorize access to DEERS for purposes of verification.
(3) Applications may be submitted via facsimile but the original documentation must be submitted before any grant payments are authorized.
(4) Incomplete applications must be returned to the applicant.
(5) The division department, upon receipt of a complete original application, shall verify required information under DEERS and then shall process the information for payment. The application must be processed in an expeditious manner.
(B) The procedure governing payments are as follows:
(1) Payment must be made to the applicant who has met all eligibility requirements.
(2) The timeliness of payment is determined by the amount of funds available at the time of application.
(3) If adequate funds are not available, the application must be held in a queue until funds are available.
(4) Applications for casualty-based grants take precedence over all others.
(C) The procedures governing denials of applications are as follows:
(1) Grant applications from those not meeting eligibility requirements must be denied.
(2) A letter explaining the denial, as well as providing additional sources of available relief, must be sent to the applicant within thirty days after receipt of the application.
Section 25-11-510. There is created the South Carolina Prisoner of War 'POW' Medal. The Governor may present the medal on behalf of the people of the State of South Carolina to any person who:
(1) on the date of induction into the organized militia or federal military service, was a resident of this State and who, while serving in the organized militia or in federal military service on active duty in a combat theater of operation during a time of war or emergency, was officially listed as a prisoner of war by the United States Department of Defense;
(2) on the date of induction into the organized militia or federal military service, was not a resident of this State but currently resides in this State or was a resident at the time of death and who, while serving in the organized militia or in federal military service on active duty in a combat theater of operation during time of war or emergency, was officially listed as a prisoner of war by the United States Department of Defense; or
(3) meets the residency requirements of item (1) or (2), and was taken prisoner and held captive while:
(a) engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
(b) engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
(c) serving with friendly forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
Section 25-11-520. (A) The South Carolina Division of Veterans' Affairs department, in consultation with the Adjutant General, shall determine eligibility for the medal. For any person qualifying for the medal pursuant to Section 25-11-510(3), the Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs secretary shall determine eligibility on a case by case basis. There is no required period of captivity; however, the director secretary and the Adjutant General shall compare such cases to those under which persons have generally been held captive by enemy forces during periods of armed conflict.
(B) The Division of Veterans' Affairs department may require a copy of DD Form 214 or WD Form 53 and any other information necessary to determine eligibility.
Section 25-11-530. Any person convicted by a United States military tribunal of misconduct or a criminal charge or whose discharge is less than honorable based on actions while a POW is ineligible for the medal. Any POW whose conduct was not in accord with the Code of Conduct and whose actions are documented by United States military records, is ineligible for the medal. Resolution of questionable cases shall be the responsibility of the Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs secretary, in consultation with the Adjutant General.
Section 25-11-540. No person may be awarded more than one South Carolina POW Medal.
Section 25-11-550. The medal may be awarded for a deceased person or a person absent as a prisoner of war and presented to the person's next of kin.
Section 25-11-560. The Division of Veterans' Affairs department must develop and implement a plan to accept nominations for the medal.
Section 25-11-570. (A) The Adjutant General, in consultation with the Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs secretary, shall develop the appropriate design and appearance of the medal and a ribbon to be worn in lieu of the medal. However, nothing in this section requires the Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs secretary or the Adjutant General to provide or pay for the medal, ribbon, or its design.
(B) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the South Carolina Prisoner of War Medal Fund for the sole purpose of receipt and disbursement of donated funds from the public to be used in the design, production, purchasing, and presentation of the South Carolina Prisoner of War Medal as administered by the Director of the South Carolina Division of Veterans' Affairs secretary, in consultation with the Adjutant General. The Office of the South Carolina Division of Veterans' Affairs department, or the Adjutant General, shall remit all funds donated to the South Carolina Prisoner of War Medal Fund to the Office of State Treasurer for deposit and disbursement."
SECTION 4. (A) All classified or unclassified personnel employed by these offices on the effective date of this act, either by contract or by employment at will, shall become employees of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, with the same compensation, classification, and grade level, as applicable. The Department of Administration shall cause all necessary actions to be taken to accomplish this transfer in accordance with state laws and regulations.
(B) Regulations promulgated by the Division of Veterans' Affairs as it formerly existed under the Department of Administration are continued and are considered to be promulgated by the newly created Department of Veterans' Affairs.
(C) The Code Commissioner is directed to change or correct all references to Division of Veterans' Affairs within the Department of Administration in the 1976 Code, to reflect the transfer of it to the Department of Veterans' Affairs. References to the Division of Veterans' Affairs in the 1976 Code or other provisions of law are considered to be and must be construed to mean appropriate reference to the Department of Veterans' Affairs. This authority shall not be construed to remove any authority from the Department of Administration for approval of statewide policies, procedures, regulations, rates and fees, or specific actions requiring Department of Administration approval.
SECTION 5. This act takes effect July 1, 2019. County veterans' affairs officers serving on or before the effective date of Section 25-11-40(B), as amended by this act, are not subject to the revised qualifications provided in this section. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
KATRINA F. SHEALY for Committee.
TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DIVISION OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE DIVISION WITHIN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIRECTOR MUST BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND CONFIRMED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND TO ENUMERATE THE DIVISION'S POWERS AND DUTIES; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-20, RELATING TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, SO AS TO ENUMERATE SPECIFIC DUTIES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-40, RELATING TO THE APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL, TRAINING, AND ACCREDITATION OF COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICERS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "VETERAN" FOR PURPOSES OF APPOINTING COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICERS, TO ELIMINATE THE AUTHORITY TO APPOINT NONVETERANS TO SERVE AS COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICERS, TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FOR PERSONS CURRENTLY SERVING AS COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICERS, AND TO REMOVE LOCAL NONCONFORMING PROVISIONS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 25-11-10 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 25-11-10. (A) A Division of Veterans' The Department of Veterans Affairs is hereby created in the Department of Administration within the executive branch of government for the purpose of assisting ex-servicemen former, present, and future members of the armed forces of the United States in securing the benefits to which they are entitled under the provisions of federal legislation and under the terms of insurance policies issued by the federal government for their benefit. Powers, duties, and functions to be vested in the department shall include all those powers, duties, and functions involving cooperation with other governmental units, such as cities and counties, or with the federal government agencies concerned with participation in federal grants-in-aid programs relating to veterans and veterans affairs. This division shall be under the direct supervision of The department shall receive advice and recommendations from a panel consisting of the Governor as chairman, the Attorney General for the purpose of giving legal advice, and the Adjutant and Inspector General.
(B) The department has authority to adopt rules to implement the provisions of this chapter.
(C) The department may apply for and accept funds, grants, gifts, and services from the State, the United States Government or any of its agencies, or any other public or private source, and may use funds derived from these sources to defray clerical and administrative costs, as may be necessary for carrying out the department's duties.
(D) The department shall submit an annual written report to the Governor no later than December thirty-first of each year. The annual report shall describe:
(1) the number, nature, and kind of cases handled by the department and by county and city veteran service officers of the State;
(2) the amounts of benefits obtained for veterans;
(3) the names and addresses of all certified veteran service officers of the State;
(4) the current status and condition of the department's domiciliary and nursing homes, including the number of residents received and discharged during the preceding year, occupancy rates, staffing, and all receipts and expenditures from the preceding year; and
(5) any actions taken by the department to implement the provisions of this subsection, including other information and recommendations as the department considers prudent or necessary.
(E) The department shall administer this chapter and shall have the authority and responsibility to apply for and administer any federal programs and develop and coordinate such state programs as may be beneficial to the particular interests of the veterans of this State."
SECTION 2. Section 25-11-20 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 25-11-20. (A) For the purpose of carrying on this work the Governor shall appoint, with the consent of the Senate, a Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs, director of the department who is charged with the duty of assisting all ex-servicemen veterans, regardless of the wars in which their service may have been rendered, in filing, presenting, and prosecuting to final determination all claims which they have for money compensation, hospitalization, training, and insurance benefits under the terms of federal legislation.
(B) The Director of the Division Department of Veterans' Veterans Affairs must be a person veteran, as defined in Section 25-11-40, versed in federal legislation relating to these matters and the rules, regulations, and practice of the Veterans Administration as created by Congress and must be appointed by the Governor.
(C) Before the appointment, the Governor shall receive a recommendation from (1) the executive committee of the American Legion, Department of South Carolina, (2) the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Department of South Carolina, and (3) the Disabled American Veterans. The Governor is not required to appoint the person recommended, and he the director is subject to removal by the Governor pursuant to the provisions of Section 1-3-240(B).
(D) The director's duties shall include:
(1) working with federal officials to obtain additional federal resources and coordinate veterans policy development and information exchange;
(2) coordinating with appropriate state agencies to ensure that available federal and state resources are directed toward assisting veterans and addressing all issues of mutual concern to the State and the armed forces of the Unites States, including quality of life issues unique to South Carolina's military personnel and their families, quality of educational opportunities for military children, transportation needs, substance abuse, and social service needs;
(3) monitor and enhance efforts to provide assistance and support for veterans living in South Carolina and members of the South Carolina National Guard and South Carolina residents in the armed forces reserves not in active federal service in the areas of medical care, mental health and rehabilitative services, housing, homelessness prevention, job creation, and education;
(4) settle claims, actions, causes of action, and legal proceedings brought against the department or its employees acting within the scope of his or her employment;
(5) accept donation and gifts of property or grants of money on behalf of the department in compliance with the law;
(6) initiate all rulemaking;
(7) perform other such functions as may be necessary to supervise, direct, conduct, and administer the daily duties of the department as authorized by law or by rules and policies; and
(8) submit an annual report to the Governor, pursuant to Section 25-11-10(D).
(E) The Department of Administration may provide administrative support to the department for the performance of its duties, including, but not limited to, financial accounting support, human resources administrative support, information technology shared services support, procurement services, and logistical support."
SECTION 3. Section 25-11-40 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 25-11-40. (A) For the purpose of this section, 'veteran' means a person who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States for a period of more than one hundred eighty days and was discharged or released from such active duty with an honorable discharge or, if one hundred eighty days or less, was discharged or released from service active duty because of and who was honorably discharged or released from such service due to a service-connected disability.
(B) Subject to the recommendation of a majority of the Senators representing the county and a majority of the House members representing the county, the Director of the Division Department of Veterans Affairs shall appoint a county veterans affairs officer for each county in the State, whose term of office shall begin July first of each odd-numbered year and shall continue for a term of two years and until a successor shall be appointed. A county veterans affairs officer must be a qualified veteran who served on active duty for a period of more than at least one hundred eighty days and was discharged or released from such active duty with an honorable discharge or, if one hundred eighty days or less, was discharged or released from such active duty because of due to a service-connected disability; otherwise, a county veterans affairs officer may be a qualified nonveteran, if any veteran being considered for the post is not as qualified as a nonveteran being considered for the post. Qualifications shall be determined by the county legislative delegation upon a majority vote of the Senators representing the county and a majority of the House members representing the county. A county veterans affairs officer is an at-will employee, subject to removal for cause at any time by the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs, a majority of the Senators representing the county, and a majority of the House members representing the county.
(C) All county veterans affairs officers must successfully complete a comprehensive course of training and be issued accreditation within one year following initial appointment, either through the Division Department of Veterans Affairs or through an accredited national veterans service organization. A training council from the South Carolina Association of County Veterans Affairs Officers, in conjunction with the Division Department of Veterans Affairs or through an accredited national veterans service organization, shall develop the training criteria. Training and accreditation must be provided by the Division Department of Veterans Affairs or through an accredited national veterans service organization. A county veterans affairs officer who does not complete the required training and receives accreditation within the first year following appointment is ineligible for reappointment by the county legislative delegation. Additionally, in order to maintain accreditation, refresher training is required yearly.
(D)(1) In Berkeley County, appointments made pursuant to this section are governed by the provisions of Act 159 of 1995.
(2) In Dorchester County, appointments made pursuant to this section are governed by the provisions of Act 512 of 1996.
(3) In Georgetown County, appointments made pursuant to this section are governed by the provisions of Act 515 of 1996."
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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