Representative Klarides (R‑Derby) praised the long awaited legislation that has been signed in to law which will directly benefit the veteran and military community of Connecticut.
Representative Klarides represents House District 114, spanning Woodbridge, Orange, and Derby had the following to say; “The sacrifice our veterans, active military and their families make for our country is one of the most incredible acts of service in our nation. The veterans who reside in our state deserve not only our appreciation and gratitude – but ongoing support for all they have sacrificed. I was proud to support these important bills that will aid our veterans in succeeding within their communities when they return to civilian life. Broadening access to employment programs, support, residential programs, services at Connecticut’s Department of Veteran Affairs and providing tax relief for our veterans with disabilities was accomplished by the passage of these three bills. Our veterans served us, and we have a responsibility to serve them. These bills keep Connecticut moving in the right direction when it comes to taking care of our veteran and military communities.”
From Governor Lamont’s release, the bills include:
· Public Act 19 – 129, An Act Establishing the Military to Machinists and Veterans Platform to Employment Pilot Programs and Providing Other Employment Assistance to Veterans
o This bill requires the workforce development board for Connecticut’s southwest region to develop and operate a Military to Machinists pilot program that will assist veterans in earning an advanced manufacturing certificate from a qualifying program and secure employment in the field upon certificate completion.
o In addition, the board must develop and operate a Veterans Platform to Employment pilot program, which will provide training and subsidized employment for veterans who have experienced long-term unemployment, including skills assessments, career readiness workshops, and other tools.
o Finally, it requires the board to identify appropriate written materials on mental health conditions common to veterans that will be distributed to employers.
· Public Act 19 – 33, An Act Concerning the Definition of “Service in Time of War” and State Residency Requirements for Certain Veterans’ Services
o This bill extends certain state war service benefits to veterans who have served less than 90 days in a period of war because they incurred or aggravated an injury in the line of duty that is not a service-connected disability rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
o It also removes a prior law that required a two-year state residency eligibility for certain state benefits (e.g. hospital care and funeral expenses) for veterans who did not reside in Connecticut at the time of their enlistment or induction into the military.
· Public Act 19 – 171, An Act Concerning the Property Tax Exemption for Service Members and Veterans Having Disability Ratings
o This bill increases the base property tax exemption for certain disabled service members and veterans by $500.By doing to, it increases the additional income-based exemption for such service members and veterans by $250 or $1,000, depending on their income. This is calculated using the base exemption corresponding with an individual’s disability rating.
All three of the bills go into effect October 1, 2019.
