Bill Text: IL HB3508 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Provides that by July 1, 2019, the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall develop a Transition Assistance Program for veterans who have been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of any state. Provides that the program shall be designed to assist veterans in successfully transitioning from military to civilian life in Illinois and shall complement the transition program offered by the United States Department of Defense. Provides that the program shall include specified Illinois-specific transition assistance resources and information covering specified topics. Provides that the program shall provide information to noncitizens who are leaving military service in Illinois or who have already been discharged from military service in Illinois. Provides that the information shall detail how to become United States citizens, including where to acquire State legal assistance. Provides that the Illinois National Guard shall inform its members that it will assist noncitizen members in acquiring United States citizenship as soon as they are eligible. Provides that if a noncitizen member requests such assistance, then the Illinois National Guard shall assist the member in filing all forms and paperwork necessary to become a United States citizen. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-05-01 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Halpin [HB3508 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-HB3508-Introduced.html

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101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2019 and 2020 HB3508 Introduced , by Rep. John Connor SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
20 ILCS 2805/38 new
Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Provides that by July 1, 2019, the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall develop a Transition Assistance Program for veterans who have been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of any state. Provides that the program shall be designed to assist veterans in successfully transitioning from military to civilian life in Illinois and shall complement the transition program offered by the United States Department of Defense. Provides that the program shall include specified Illinois-specific transition assistance resources and information covering specified topics. Provides that the program shall provide information to noncitizens who are leaving military service in Illinois or who have already been discharged from military service in Illinois. Provides that the information shall detail how to become United States citizens, including where to acquire State legal assistance. Provides that the Illinois National Guard shall inform its members that it will assist noncitizen members in acquiring United States citizenship as soon as they are eligible. Provides that if a noncitizen member requests such assistance, then the Illinois National Guard shall assist the member in filing all forms and paperwork necessary to become a United States citizen. Effective immediately.
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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning State government.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Department of Veterans' Affairs Act is
amended by adding Section 38 as follows:
(20 ILCS 2805/38 new)
Sec. 38. Transition Assistance Program.
(a) By July 1, 2019, the Department shall develop a
Transition Assistance Program for veterans who have been
discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States or the
National Guard of any state. The program shall be designed to
assist veterans in successfully transitioning from military
life to civilian life in Illinois and shall complement the
transition program offered by the United States Department of
Defense. The program shall include, but shall not be limited
to, provision of Illinois-specific transition assistance
resources and information covering the following topics:
(1) programs for and benefits of higher education for
veterans;
(2) vocational training;
(3) starting or running small businesses;
(4) health care programs and services;
(5) mental health;

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(6) military sexual trauma; and
(7) housing.
(b) The program shall provide information to noncitizens
who are leaving military service in Illinois, or who have
already been discharged from military service in Illinois, that
details how to become United States citizens, including where
to acquire State legal assistance.
(c) The Illinois National Guard shall inform its members
that it will assist noncitizen members in acquiring United
States citizenship as soon as they are eligible. If a
noncitizen member requests such assistance, then the Illinois
National Guard shall assist the member in filing all forms and
paperwork necessary to become a United States citizen.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.