HP0771, LD 1037, item 1, An Act To Establish a Welcome Home Bonus for Veterans of the Campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan

An Act To Establish a Welcome Home Bonus for Veterans of the Campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 37-B MRSA §513 is enacted to read:

§ 513. Bonus for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan

1. Veterans' bonus established. A veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States is eligible to receive a bonus under this section from the bureau if the veteran meets the following criteria:

A. The veteran served in the Armed Forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001;

B. The veteran was domiciled in the State for at least 6 months immediately prior to entering the Armed Forces of the United States;

C. The veteran was honorably discharged; and

D. The veteran's service in the Armed Forces of the United States was prior to the official cessation of hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan as declared by the Federal Government.

2. Amount of bonus. Upon application and providing proof of domicile under subsection 1, paragraph B to the bureau, a veteran eligible under subsection 1 is entitled to receive $1,000 for the veteran's first deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 and $500 for each subsequent deployment. An eligible veteran who did not serve on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan subsequent to September 11, 2001 but served at least 6 months' active service subsequent to September 11, 2001 is entitled to receive $500. For purposes of this subsection, "active service" does not include active duty for training in the Army or Air National Guard or active duty for training as a reservist in the Armed Forces of the United States.

3. Next of kin. The next of kin of a service member killed in action who otherwise would be eligible under subsection 1 is entitled to receive the bonus to which the service member would be entitled under subsection 2. A next of kin entitled to receive a bonus under this subsection must provide proof of relationship and proof of the service member's eligibility under subsection 1 to the bureau. For purposes of this subsection, "next of kin" has the same meaning as in Title 22, section 2843-A, subsection 1, paragraph D.

4. Rules. The bureau may adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

summary

This bill provides to a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who served in Iraq or Afghanistan subsequent to September 11, 2001 a bonus of $1,000 for the veteran’s first deployment and $500 for every subsequent deployment and to a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who served at least 6 months' active duty subsequent to September 11, 2001 but did not serve in Iraq or Afghanistan a bonus of $500. In order to receive the bonus, the veteran must have been domiciled in the State for at least 6 months immediately prior to entering the Armed Forces, be honorably discharged and apply and provide proof of domicile to the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Bureau of Maine Veterans’ Services. The next of kin of a service member who is killed in action receives the bonus to which the service member would have been entitled. The bonus will not be available to a service member who serves after the cessation of hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan.

HP0771 LD 1037	First Regular Session - 125th Maine Legislature		LR 1817 Item 1
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