An Act To Assist Veterans in Their Applications for Service-related Benefits

Sec. 1. 37-B MRSA §501, first ¶,  as amended by PL 2015, c. 465, Pt. A, §2, is further amended to read:

The Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services, referred to in this chapter as the "bureau," is established and shall provide informational services, program assistance, memorial facilities and financial aid to veterans in the State and their dependents in order to ensure that they receive all entitlements due under the law, are relieved to the extent possible of financial hardship, receive every opportunity for self-improvement through higher education and are afforded proper recognition for their service and sacrifice to the Nation. The bureau shall serve as the primary source of information for veterans in the State regarding all services, benefits and honors administered by the State and, to the maximum extent possible, services and benefits provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans' service organizations and other organizations dedicated to serving veterans. The bureau shall provide all veterans in the State the opportunity to have their claims represented by the bureau acting under a power of attorney when filing for service-related benefits to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans' service organizations and other organizations dedicated to serving veterans.

summary

This bill requires the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services to provide all veterans in the State the opportunity to have their claims represented by the bureau acting under a power of attorney when filing for service-related benefits to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans' service organizations and other organizations dedicated to serving veterans.