Bill Text: MI HB4818 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Veterans; other; Michigan veterans' bill of rights for veterans; establish. Creates new act.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-08-16 - Bill Electronically Reproduced 07/12/2017 [HB4818 Detail]

Download: Michigan-2017-HB4818-Introduced.html

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HOUSE BILL No. 4818

 

 

July 12, 2017, Introduced by Rep. Kosowski and referred to the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.

 

     A bill to prescribe the Michigan veterans' bill of rights; and

 

to prescribe the duties of certain state agencies.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 1. As used in this act:

 

     (a) "Department" means the department of military and veterans

 

affairs.

 

     (b) "Veteran" means an individual who meets both of the

 

following criteria:

 

     (i) Is a veteran as defined in section 1 of 1965 PA 190, MCL

 

35.61.

 

     (ii) Was honorably discharged.

 

     Sec. 3. This act shall be known and may be cited as the

 

"Michigan veterans' bill of rights".

 

     Sec. 5. Veterans in this state have all of the following

 

rights:

     (a) To be treated with dignity and respect and to receive

 

accurate, courteous, and timely service in all their contacts with

 

the department and any other state agency that administers programs

 

that serve veterans.

 

     (b) To receive fair and equal treatment, irrespective of rank,

 

position, or status, and be treated with tact, comprehension, and

 

understanding in their contacts with government agencies or private

 

entities contracted with governmental entities to provide services

 

to veteran populations.

 

     (c) To be involved in the decisions affecting their care and

 

the formation of programs and benefits that affect their daily

 

lives.

 

     (d) To be informed of all programs and benefits for which they

 

are eligible.

 

     (e) To file an application for benefits at any time and to

 

receive a written notice and explanation of the approval or denial

 

of their application for benefits.

 

     (f) To be provided with equal benefits in any part of this

 

state in which they or their spouses, domestic partners, or

 

dependents reside. Geographical location must not determine the

 

quality or level of service or care provided.

 

     (g) To housing that is or provides both of the following:

 

     (i) Adequate, safe, and reliable.

 

     (ii) Adequate and appropriate mental health and transitional

 

support services, including counseling, employment training, and

 

substance abuse treatment.

 

     (h) To education and job training they require to secure

civilian employment.

 

     (i) To receive physical and mental health services they

 

require as a result of their service, and to receive these services

 

free from fear of retaliation or stigma. Physical and mental health

 

services shall not be negatively impacted or withheld from a

 

veteran due solely to his or her veteran status. A veteran shall

 

not be compelled to decline services or benefits against his or her

 

will, and every reasonable effort must be made to connect veterans

 

with the services and benefits to which they are rightly entitled.

 

     Sec. 7. The rights prescribed under this act are not

 

exhaustive. This act must not be construed to limit the rights of

 

veterans. Instead, the rights prescribed under this act establish

 

the minimum rights every veteran enjoys as a resident of this

 

state. If applicable, veterans' spouses, domestic partners, and

 

defendants who are veterans are also entitled to the rights

 

prescribed in this act.

 

     Enacting section 1. This act takes effect 90 days after the

 

date it is enacted into law.