GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2017

S                                                                                                                                                     1

SENATE BILL 62

 

 

Short Title:      Veterans' Affairs Commission/Strategic Plan.

(Public)

Sponsors:

Senators D. Davis, Brown (Primary Sponsors);  Daniel and Sanderson.

Referred to:

Rules and Operations of the Senate

February 9, 2017

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to require the veterans' affairs commission to adopt a comprehensive strategic plan to enhance benefits for veterans and their dependents.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 14 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 143B‑1220.1. Strategic plan.

(a)        Strategic Plan. – The Veterans' Affairs Commission shall adopt a comprehensive strategic plan to enhance benefits for veterans and their dependents. The strategic plan shall include specific objectives related to the following topics:

(1)        Improving accessibility of health, education, training, counseling, financial, and burial benefits and services to veterans and their dependents.

(2)        Increasing the satisfaction of veterans and their dependents with benefits and services by meeting their expectations for availability, quality, timeliness, and responsiveness.

(3)        Educating and empowering veterans and their dependents through proactive outreach and effective advocacy.

(4)        Any other topic related to enhancing benefits for veterans and their dependents.

(b)        Update, Review, and Report. – The Commission shall update this plan every four years. The Commission shall annually review the State's performance based on this plan and shall annually report the results of its review to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on General Government."

SECTION 2.  The Veterans' Affairs Commission shall adopt a strategic plan by November 1, 2018. The Veterans' Affairs Commission shall complete its first annual review and its first annual report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on General Government by November 1, 2019. The Veterans' Affairs Commission shall complete its first update of the strategic plan by November 1, 2020.

SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.