Appropriates funds to department of defense for a veterans' newsletters to inform returning veterans of benefit changes and the availability of supportive services and programs. (SD2)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State lacks a reliable and effective method of communicating important information to Hawaii's military veterans, particularly veterans returning from deployment to the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq, and their families. This prevents veterans from all branches of the military from being informed of significant outreach services that are available for veterans and their families, upcoming veteran-related events in the community, and the dates of various military ceremonies.

Outreach and counseling are extremely important to our men and women returning from combat, many of whom will be struggling with some form of readjustment issue due to the dangers they faced carrying out their military duties, and the prolonged separation from family and friends. Many will experience an unexpected sense of detachment, irritability, and suffer other symptoms of stress. At least fifteen per cent of our currently serving military will suffer from some form of combat stress, most only temporarily, but many will need long term care and counseling. It is critical that our returning veterans are made aware of support services available to them, as well as relevant ceremonies and events, upon their return from duty. The Department of Veterans Affairs is moving its residential stress care program for long-term patients from Hilo to Oahu, where the majority of returning veterans live. This move will increase both inpatient and outpatient services available for veterans on Oahu.

Presently, the office of veterans' services, located within the department of defense, lacks sufficient funding to publish a newsletter that would disseminate this and other related important information regarding supportive services, programs, and events available to military veterans and their families. The State owes our returning armed forces, national guard, and reserve veterans meaningful opportunities that provide support for them and express the State's deep gratitude and appreciation for the services that the veterans have provided for our country.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to enable the office of veterans' services to publish four newsletters for Hawaii veterans to provide, among other things, information on available assistance and support for returning veterans and relevant ceremonies and events.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the department of defense's office of veterans' services to cover the cost of staff, printing, and distribution of a newsletter, published quarterly for one year, that will inform veterans of veterans' issues, including any changes in benefits, the availability of supportive services and programs, and relevant events and ceremonies.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.