Bill Text: MI HB5500 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Veterans; benefits; joint advisory committee concerning initiative to increase awareness of veterans' benefits; establish between departments of health and human services and military and veterans affairs. Amends 1965 PA 380 (MCL 16.101 - 16.608) by adding sec. 130. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5502'18
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-02-01 - Bill Electronically Reproduced 01/31/2018 [HB5500 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2017-HB5500-Introduced.html
HOUSE BILL No. 5500
January 31, 2018, Introduced by Rep. Kosowski.
A bill to amend 1965 PA 380, entitled
"Executive organization act of 1965,"
(MCL 16.101 to 16.608) by adding section 130.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 130. (1) The department shall partner with the department
of health and human services to establish a joint advisory
committee that will develop and implement the initiative described
in subsection (2). Committee formation and membership shall be
jointly determined by the department and the department of health
and human services.
(2) The committee shall develop and implement a joint
initiative to increase awareness among the veterans and family
members of veterans of this state of the programs and benefits for
which they may be eligible as veterans and family members of
veterans. All of the following apply to the initiative described in
this subsection:
(a) The initiative shall have the title, "Ask the Question".
(b) The object of the initiative shall be to encourage public
and private agencies and organizations in the provider sector,
including, but not limited to, health care, social services, and
education, to ask the members of the populations they serve at the
point of contact, "Have you or a member of your family served in
the military?".
(c) If an individual answers the question in subdivision (b)
affirmatively, the committee shall encourage the agency or
organization described in subdivision (b) to provide the individual
with verbal guidance and printed information, developed and
distributed by the committee, regarding state and federal programs
or benefits that may be available to the individual as a veteran,
or as a family member of a veteran, including general information
regarding how and where to apply for or participate in those
programs or benefits.
(d) The committee shall provide advice and guidance to the
agencies and organizations described in subdivision (b) regarding
best practices for directing a veteran, or a family member of a
veteran, to a specific veterans' program or benefit that may be of
assistance to the veteran, or the family member of a veteran, in
regard to his or her specific need.
(3) The printed information distributed under subsection
(2)(c) shall include a conspicuously placed disclaimer stating that
the provision of guidance or information regarding veterans'
programs and benefits that may be available to the individual
receiving that guidance or information is for informational
purposes only and is not an indication or determination of
eligibility for those programs or benefits.
(4) The department may share with the department of health and
human services information in its possession that is related to the
needs of veterans and family members of veterans if necessary to
facilitate the initiative described in this section, unless sharing
that information is a violation of a state or federal law
concerning privacy.
(5) As used in this section:
(a) "Committee" means the joint advisory committee established
under subsection (1).
(b) "Department" means the department of military and veterans
affairs.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days
after the date it is enacted into law.
Enacting section 2. This amendatory act does not take effect
unless Senate Bill No.____ or House Bill No. 5502 (request no.
04828'17) of the 99th Legislature is enacted into law.
