Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34
AN ACT CONCERNING MOTOR VEHICLE MARKER PLATES FOR
CERTAIN VETERANS AND SERVICE MEMBERS, MUNICIPAL
VETERANS SERVICES, VETERANS -RELATED PROPERTY TAX
RELIEF AND TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO VETERANS' AND
MILITARY AFFAIRS STATUTES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 14-20d of the 2022
supplement to the general statutes are repealed and the following is
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
(a) For the purposes of this section, "veteran", [means any person (1)
honorably discharged from, or released under honorable conditions
from active service in, the armed forces, or (2) with a qualifying
condition, as defined in section 27-103, who has received a discharge
other than bad conduct or dishonorable from active service in the armed
forces, and "period of war" and] "armed forces" and "period of war" have
the same meanings as provided in section 27-103, as amended by this
act.
(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall, at the request of any
veteran or member of the armed forces who received a campaign medal,
issue special registration marker plates to indicate service during a
period of war. Such plates shall bear the words "(Name of War) Veteran" Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 2 of 27
and shall be designed in consultation with the Commissioner of
[Veteran] Veterans Affairs. The plates shall expire and be renewed as
provided in section 14-22. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall
charge a fee for such plates, which fee shall cover the entire cost of
making such plates and shall be in addition to the fee for registration of
such motor vehicle. No use shall be made of such plates except as official
registration marker plates.
Sec. 2. Subsections (a) to (c), inclusive, of section 27-103 of the 2022
supplement to the general statutes are repealed and the following is
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
(a) As used in the general statutes, except chapter 504, and except as
otherwise provided: (1) "Armed forces" means the United States Army,
Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force and any reserve
component thereof, including the Connecticut National Guard
performing duty as provided in Title 32 of the United States Code, as
amended from time to time; (2) "veteran" means any person honorably
discharged from, released under honorable conditions from or released
with an other than honorable discharge based on a qualifying condition
from, active service in, the armed forces; (3) "service in time of war"
means service of ninety or more cumulative days during a period of war
unless separated from service earlier because of an injury incurred or
aggravated in the line of duty or a service-connected disability rated by
the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, except that if the
period of war lasted less than ninety days, "service in time of war"
means service for the entire period of war unless separated because of
any such injury or disability; (4) "period of war" has the same meaning
as provided in 38 USC 101, as amended from time to time, except that
the "Vietnam Era" means the period beginning on February 28, 1961, and
ending on July 1, 1975, in all cases; and "period of war" shall include
service while engaged in combat or a combat support role in Lebanon,
July 1, 1958, to November 1, 1958, or September 29, 1982, to March 30, Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 3 of 27
1984; Grenada, October 25, 1983, to December 15, 1983; Operation
Earnest Will, involving the escort of Kuwaiti oil tankers flying the
United States flag in the Persian Gulf, July 24, 1987, to August 1, 1990;
[and] Panama, December 20, 1989, to January 31, 1990; Afghanistan,
October 24, 2001, to August 30, 2021; and Iraq, March 19, 2003, to
December 31, 2011, or June 1, 2014, to December 9, 2021, and shall
include service during such periods with the armed forces of any
government associated with the United States; and (5) "qualifying
condition" means (A) a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder or
traumatic brain injury made by an individual licensed to provide health
care services at a United States Department of Veterans Affairs facility,
(B) an experience of military sexual trauma, as described in 38 USC
1720D, as amended from time to time, disclosed to an individual
licensed to provide health care services at a United States Department
of Veterans Affairs facility, or (C) a determination that sexual
orientation, gender identity or gender expression was more likely than
not the primary reason for an other than honorable discharge, as
determined in accordance with subsections (c) and (d) of this section.
(b) As used in this part, "Veterans Residential Services facility" means
the Veterans Residential Services facility in Rocky Hill maintained by
the Department of Veterans Affairs that provides temporary and other
supported residential services for qualifying veterans; "long-term care
facility" means a facility that has been federally certified as a skilled
nursing facility or intermediate care facility; "Healthcare Center" means
the long-term care facility in Rocky Hill maintained by the Department
of Veterans Affairs; "veteran" means any veteran, as defined in
subsection (a) of this section, who is a resident of this state; "eligible
dependent" means any parent, wife or husband, or child of a veteran
who has no adequate means of support; and "eligible family member"
means any parent, brother or sister, wife or husband, or child or children
under eighteen years of age, of any veteran whose cooperation in the
program is integral to the treatment of the veteran. Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 4 of 27
(c) Not later than October 1, 2021, the Commissioner of Veterans
Affairs shall establish a Qualifying Review Board, which shall review
applications of veterans submitted under subsection (d) of this section.
Said board shall be part of the Executive Department and shall consist
of five voting members who, by education or experience, shall be
knowledgeable of veterans benefits and programs and who shall have a
demonstrated interest in the concerns of veterans. A majority of the
members of the board shall be veterans.
(1) The membership of the board shall consist of the following
members:
(A) One member appointed by the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs
in consultation with the chairperson of the Board of Trustees for the
Department of Veterans Affairs, [Board of Trustees,] who shall be a
member of said board;
(B) The manager of the Office of Advocacy and Assistance within the
Department of Veterans Affairs, [Office of Advocacy and Assistance,] or
the manager's designee; and
(C) Three members appointed by the Commissioner of Veterans
Affairs.
(2) All initial appointments to the board shall be made not later than
December 1, 2021, and shall terminate on November [31] 30, 2023, or
November [31] 30, 2024, as applicable, regardless of when the initial
appointment was made. Any member of the board may serve more than
one term.
(3) Members first appointed shall have the following terms: (A) The
member of the Board of Trustees for the Department of Veterans Affairs
[Board of Trustees] and the manager of the Office of Advocacy and
Assistance within the Department of Veterans Affairs, [Office of
Advocacy and Assistance,] or the manager's designee, shall initially Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 5 of 27
serve a term of three years, and (B) the three members appointed by the
Commissioner of Veterans Affairs shall initially serve a term of two
years. Members shall serve a term of four years thereafter. Members
shall continue to serve until their successors are appointed.
(4) Any vacancy shall be filled by the Commissioner of Veterans
Affairs. Any vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall be
filled for the balance of the unexpired term.
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 4-9a,
the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs shall select the chairperson of the
board from among the members of the board. Such chairperson shall
schedule the first meeting of the board, which shall be held not later
than January 1, 2022.
(6) A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of any business.
(7) The members of the board shall serve without compensation.
(8) The board shall meet at least monthly or as often as deemed
necessary by the chairperson based on the number of applications
pending before the board.
Sec. 3. Section 27-118 of the 2022 supplement to the general statutes
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
October 1, 2022):
(a) When any veteran or member, as those terms are defined in
subsection [(e)] (g) of this section, dies, not having sufficient estate to
pay the necessary expenses of the veteran's or member's last sickness
and funeral expenses, as determined by the [commissioner]
Commissioner of Veterans Affairs after consultation with the probate
court for the district in which the veteran or member resided, the state
shall pay the sum of one thousand eight hundred dollars toward such Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 6 of 27
funeral expenses.
(b) Burial shall be in [some] a cemetery or plot not used exclusively
for the burial of the pauper dead.
(c) No amount shall be paid for funeral expenses unless claim therefor
is made [within one year from] not later than one year after the date of
death, except that in cases of death occurring abroad [,] such claim may
be made within one year after the remains of [such] the veteran or
member have been interred in this country. No provision of this section
shall prevent the payment of the sum under subsection (a) of this section
for funeral expenses on account of the burial of [such] the veteran or
member being made outside the limits of this state.
(d) Upon satisfactory proof to the commissioner, by the person who
has paid or provided for the funeral expenses [to the commissioner] of
a deceased veteran, of the identity of the [deceased] veteran, the time
and place of the [deceased's] veteran's death and burial and the
approval thereof by the commissioner, the sum under subsection (a) of
this section shall be paid by the Comptroller to [the] such person who
has paid or provided for the funeral expenses.
(e) (1) Upon satisfactory proof to the commissioner, by the person
who has paid or provided for the funeral [or burial expense to the
commissioner] expenses of a deceased member, of the identity of the
[deceased] member, the time and place of the [deceased] member's
death and burial and the approval thereof by the commissioner, the sum
[of one thousand eight hundred dollars] under subsection (a) of this
section shall be paid by the Comptroller to the person who has paid or
provided for the funeral [or burial expense, or upon assignment by such
person, to the funeral director who has provided the funeral] expenses.
(2) The person who has paid or provided for the funeral [or burial
expense] expenses of a deceased member shall provide to the Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 7 of 27
commissioner (A) an affidavit stating (i) when the [deceased] member
served, (ii) where the [deceased] member served, (iii) the unit in which
the [deceased] member served, and (iv) the capacity in which the
[deceased] member served; (B) any available corroborating witness
affidavits; (C) any available official documentation of service; and (D)
any other documents supporting the affidavit.
(f) Whenever the Comptroller has lawfully paid any sum toward the
funeral expenses of any deceased veteran or member and it afterwards
appears that the [deceased] veteran or member left any estate, the
Comptroller may present a claim on behalf of the state against the estate
of such [deceased] veteran or member for the sum so paid, and the claim
shall be a preferred claim against such estate and shall be paid to the
Treasurer. [of the state.] The commissioner, upon the advice of the
Attorney General, may make application for administration upon the
estate of any such [deceased] veteran or member if no other person
authorized by law makes such application within sixty days after such
payment has been made by the Comptroller.
(g) As used in this section, (1) "veteran" has the same meaning as
provided in section 27-103, as amended by this act, (2) "member" means
any person who served in the Hmong Laotian special guerilla units,
which units served in the United States secret war in the Kingdom of
Laos during the Vietnam War, and (3) "funeral expenses" means (A) the
cash advances paid by the funeral director and the cost of funeral
services and funeral merchandise, (B) the cost of burial, cremation or
disposition, and (C) the cost of publication of an obituary. "Funeral
merchandise" includes, but is not limited to, alternative containers,
caskets, urns, vaults and outer burial containers.
Sec. 4. Section 27-82 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
The [commissioner] Commissioner of Veterans Affairs is authorized Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 8 of 27
to administer the separation allowances provided for by this chapter
and enforce the provisions relating thereto. The commissioner shall
determine the amount of such separation allowances to be paid and
shall certify to the Comptroller the amounts to be paid monthly. The
Comptroller shall draw his orders on the Treasurer in payment thereof.
The commissioner may apply the provisions of sections 27-80 to 27-85,
inclusive, to any person who enters the military or naval service of the
United States through the provisions of any system of selective draft
adopted by the federal government.
Sec. 5. Section 27-86 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
Whenever the provisions of this chapter relating to separation
allowances become operative through the calling of the National Guard
or other forces into active service, the [commissioner] Commissioner of
Veterans Affairs shall pay such allowances as are to be paid out of any
funds which the state may have available for such purposes and, if no
funds are available, the State Treasurer is authorized to borrow, in the
name of the state, on notes, such funds as are necessary to administer
such provisions. In either case said commissioner shall certify to the
General Assembly at its next regular session the amount expended, or,
if such provisions are at that time operative, shall certify to the amount
expended under them up to and including the first Wednesday of
December preceding the convening of the General Assembly, and in
either case the General Assembly shall appropriate sufficient funds to
cover such expenditures; and, in the event of the existence of
circumstances making such provisions still operative, the General
Assembly shall take the necessary steps to provide for the requisite
expense.
Sec. 6. Section 27-102m of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022): Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 9 of 27
The [commissioner] Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, in his or her
discretion, shall investigate all complaints made to the commissioner
with respect to the conduct or treatment of veterans, their spouses, or
eligible dependents and family members receiving services under this
chapter, or any program administered by the [department] Department
of Veterans Affairs and for such purpose shall have power to compel
the attendance of witnesses under oath. If upon the completion of such
investigation, the commissioner finds that any veteran, spouse or
eligible dependent has not received proper care or has been [ill treated]
ill-treated or abused by any officer or employee, the commissioner shall,
in his or her discretion, cause the offender to be prosecuted, disciplined
or dismissed and shall order such remedial action as the commissioner
deems necessary to eliminate the condition. If upon such investigation,
the commissioner finds that no adequate grounds exist for such
complaint, the commissioner shall certify that fact to the officer or
employee involved and cause such officer's or employee's record to be
cleared of the incident.
Sec. 7. Section 27-106 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
(a) The [commissioner] Commissioner of Veterans Affairs shall adopt
and enforce such rules as may be necessary to ensure order, enforce
discipline and preserve the health and ensure the comfort of the
residents in the Veterans Residential Services facility and patients in the
Healthcare Center, and shall discipline or dismiss any officer or resident
of said facility or patient in the Healthcare Center who violates such
rules. The commissioner shall (1) appoint, subject to the provisions of
chapter 67, such officers and employees as are necessary for the
administration of the affairs of said facility and the Healthcare Center,
(2) prescribe the relative rank, if any, of such officers and employees,
and (3) commission each such officer, who shall wear such uniform, if
any, as is prescribed by the commissioner. Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 10 of 27
(b) The chief fiscal officer shall submit a semiannual plain language
report to each resident of the Veterans Residential Services facility and
patient of the Healthcare Center detailing the manner in which the
institutional general welfare fund was used over the previous six
months to directly benefit veterans, said facility or the Healthcare
Center. Such report shall include a prominently displayed statement
encouraging residents to submit suggestions for projects to be funded
by the institutional general welfare fund and a form for such
submissions.
(c) The chief fiscal officer shall submit an itemized list of expenditures
made from the institutional general welfare fund to the commissioner
at intervals not greater than two months. Such list shall include all such
expenditures made during the two-month period preceding its
submission. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 4-56, the
commissioner shall prescribe procedures to limit and specify the uses
for which expenditures may be made from the institutional general
welfare fund so that only expenditures that, in the opinion of the
commissioner and the [board of trustees] Board of Trustees for the
[department] Department of Veterans Affairs appointed pursuant to
section 27-102n, directly benefit veterans, the Veterans Residential
Services facility or the Healthcare Center are permitted.
(d) In addition to the estimate of expenditure requirements required
under section 4-77, the commissioner shall submit an accounting of all
planned expenditures for the next fiscal year from the institutional
general welfare fund to the joint standing committee of the General
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and
the budgets of state agencies at the time such estimate is submitted.
(e) The Commissioner of Veterans Affairs shall annually hold suitable
exercises in the Veterans Residential Services facility on November
eleventh recognizing resident veterans for their military service. Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 11 of 27
Sec. 8. Section 27-109 of the 2022 supplement to the general statutes
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
October 1, 2022):
Any hospital, upon request of the [commissioner] Commissioner of
Veterans Affairs, shall furnish any veteran, determined by the
commissioner to be entitled to admission thereto, necessary food,
clothing, care and treatment therein at the expense of the state, unless
other funds or means of payment are available, and such veteran shall
have preference for admission into such hospital. As used in this section,
"veteran" has the same meaning as provided in section 27-103, as
amended by this act.
Sec. 9. Section 27-119a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
The [commissioner] Commissioner of Veterans Affairs shall, upon
application made by the chief executive authority of the town, city or
borough wherein the deceased is buried, cause a metal marker and flag
holder to be placed on the grave of any person who, in time of war,
served in the military or naval forces of the English colonies in America,
prior to 1776, or who served in the military or naval forces of the United
States in the Revolutionary War, which grave is not so marked.
Sec. 10. Section 27-120 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
If any person who, in time of war, served in the military or naval
forces of the English colonies in America, prior to 1776, or of the state of
Connecticut or in the armed forces of the United States, and was
credited to said colonies, state or the United States, died during such
service of disease or wounds, or was killed in action, died in prison or
was lost at sea, and whose body was never brought home for interment,
or who was reported missing in action and has not been heard from, the Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 12 of 27
[commissioner] Commissioner of Veterans Affairs shall, upon proper
application, with satisfactory proof, made by the chief executive
authority of the municipality of which the deceased was a resident, as
to his identity and honorable service, cause to be erected in any cemetery
or public place in such municipality, at a cost to the state of not more
than fifty dollars, a marker or soldier's headstone, having inscribed
thereon the name of such person, the organization to which he
belonged, and the place of his death or burial or when he was reported
as missing in action or lost at sea.
Sec. 11. Section 27-121 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
If the chief executive authority of any municipality which had as
residents several veterans who were killed or lost as described in section
27-120, as amended by this act, and to whose memory markers or
headstones have not already been erected, prefers a memorial stone or
plaque with the names of all such veterans inscribed thereon, erected in
a public place or cemetery in such municipality, the [commissioner]
Commissioner of Veterans Affairs shall cause such a suitable memorial
to be erected in such municipality, which memorial shall be of such
design and material and of such cost as the commissioner determines. If
any municipality, organization or person contributes toward the
erection of such memorial, the location of the same shall be determined
by the commissioner and a committee of two persons appointed by the
municipality, organization or individuals making such contribution.
Any such memorial may include the names of any veterans who died or
were killed in action as described in [said] section 27-120, as amended
by this act, and whose bodies have been brought home for interment
whenever the municipality wherein such memorial is to be erected, or
any organization or person, agrees with the commissioner to share
proportionately the cost of erecting such memorial.
Sec. 12. Subsection (b) of section 27-122b of the 2022 supplement to Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 13 of 27
the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
(b) (1) Any veteran may, by letter or other communication addressed
to the [commissioner] Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, or by will,
request that upon his or her death his or her body be buried in a
veterans' cemetery established pursuant to section 27-122a, as amended
by this act, or (2) the spouse or other next of kin may apply to the
commissioner to have the body of such veteran buried in said veterans'
cemetery, and in either case such request shall be granted.
Sec. 13. Section 27-125 of the 2022 supplement to the general statutes
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
October 1, 2022):
Any veteran who is a citizen of this state and who, through disability
or other causes incident to service in the armed forces in time of war, is
in need of temporary financial assistance may be provided for by the
[commissioner] Commissioner of Veterans Affairs by a method similar
to that provided in section 27-82, as amended by this act, the amount
and continuance of such assistance to be discretionary with the
commissioner. The widow, widower and each child, parent, brother or
sister of any member of the armed forces, who died while in such active
service, may be assisted by the commissioner if such person or persons
are without sufficient means of support by reason of the death of such
member of the armed forces. In carrying out his or her duties under the
provisions of this section, the commissioner is directed to cooperate
with such federal agencies as may aid in securing prompt and suitable
treatment, care and relief of any such member of the armed forces or his
or her dependents. The records of the agencies of the state shall be
placed at the disposal of the commissioner and such agencies are
directed to cooperate with and to assist the commissioner in carrying
out his or her duties. As used in this section, "veteran" has the same
meaning as provided in section 27-103, as amended by this act. Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 14 of 27
Sec. 14. Section 27-117 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
Any person who has in his or her possession or control any property
of any person applying for or receiving aid from the Soldiers, Sailors
and Marines Fund or the [department] Department of Veterans Affairs,
or who is indebted to such applicant or recipient or has knowledge of
any property belonging to him or her, and any officer who has control
of the books and accounts of any corporation which has possession or
control of any property belonging to any person applying for or
receiving such aid or is indebted to him or her, shall, upon presentation
by the disbursing officer thereof or any person deputized by him or her
of a certificate signed by him or her, stating that such applicant or
recipient has applied for or is receiving aid from said fund or the
department, make full disclosure to such disbursing officer or deputy of
any such property or indebtedness. Such disclosure may be obtained in
like manner of the property or indebtedness of any person liable for the
support of any such applicant or recipient.
Sec. 15. Subsection (c) of section 27-24 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1, 2022):
(c) The Adjutant General shall designate either the assistant adjutant
general for the Connecticut Army National Guard or the assistant
adjutant general for the Connecticut Air National Guard to serve as
administrative assistant and deputy to the Adjutant General and as
deputy chief of staff to the Governor. Such assistant adjutant general (1)
shall perform all of the duties of the Adjutant General in his absence,
during his inability or by his direction and (2) shall devote all of his time,
during the office hours of the [department] Military Department, to the
duties of his office. The assistant adjutant general not so designated shall
perform such duties, consistent with his grade and position, as the
Adjutant General shall direct. Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 15 of 27
Sec. 16. Section 27-25 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
The Adjutant General shall appoint a property and procurement
officer who shall be the assistant of the Adjutant General in the care of
all military property and who shall hold office at the pleasure of the
Adjutant General. He shall devote all of his time, during the office hours
of the [department] Military Department, to the duties of his office.
Sec. 17. Section 27-31 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
The Adjutant General shall appoint such number of employees,
subject to the provisions of chapter 67 and section 4-40, as may be
required to perform adequately the duties required of the [department]
Military Department. Employees in the [Military Department]
department, not in the classified service, shall serve [during] at the
pleasure of the Adjutant General and shall perform such duties as may
be assigned to them.
Sec. 18. Section 27-102o of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
The Department of [Veterans'] Veterans Affairs may, subject to any
limitations otherwise imposed by law, receive and accept on behalf of
the state any funds that may be offered or that may become available
from federal grants or appropriations, private gifts, donations or
bequests, or any other source and may expend such funds for the
purpose of financing, in whole or in part and on behalf of the state, the
construction of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Sec. 19. Section 27-102p of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022): Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 16 of 27
(a) Not later than July 15, 2007, and annually thereafter, each state
agency or municipality that provides benefits to veterans, as defined in
section 27-103, as amended by this act, shall submit a report to the
Commissioner of [Veterans'] Veterans Affairs that includes a
description of each type of benefit provided to veterans, the value of
such benefit and the number of veterans to whom such benefit was
provided, for the twelve-month period ending on June thirtieth of the
same year. The commissioner shall compile the data in such report.
(b) Not later than August 1, 2007, and annually thereafter, the
Commissioner of [Veterans'] Veterans Affairs shall submit a report of
the data compiled pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, for the
twelve-month period ending on June thirtieth of the same year, to the
Military Department and the joint standing committee of the General
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety, in
accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. Such report shall
specify the total number of veterans receiving benefits and the value of
such benefits by category of benefit and in total for such period.
Sec. 20. Subsection (c) of section 27-122a of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1, 2022):
(c) The land transferred to the commission under subsections (a) and
(b) of this section and not transferred to the Commissioner of Mental
Health and Addiction Services and the Connecticut Valley Hospital
shall be used by the Commissioner of [Veterans'] Veterans Affairs for
the establishment and maintenance of a veterans' cemetery.
Sec. 21. Subsection (c) of section 51-49h of the 2022 supplement to the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
(c) For the purposes of this section: (1) "Armed forces" means the Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 17 of 27
United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force;
(2) "veteran" has the same meaning as provided in section 27-103, as
amended by this act; and (3) "military service" shall be service during
World War II, December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946; the Korean
hostilities, June 27, 1950, to October 27, 1953; and the Vietnam era,
January 1, 1964, to July 1, 1975, and shall include service as a prisoner of
war.
Sec. 22. Subsection (a) of section 27-20 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1, 2022):
(a) The Adjutant General shall make such returns and reports to such
officers as may be prescribed by the United States Department of
Defense in regulations pertaining to the National Guard, at such times
and in such form as prescribed. The Adjutant General shall (1) keep the
service records of all officers and enlisted personnel, (2) issue authorized
service medals, ribbons and documents, (3) (A) generate and maintain
all records and documents required by state law or regulations
thereunder, and (B) process requests for such records pursuant to the
state Freedom of Information Act, as defined in section 1-200, and (4)
(A) generate and maintain all records and documents required by
federal law or regulations thereunder, and (B) process requests for such
records pursuant to the federal Freedom of Information Act of 1976, 5
USC 552, as amended from time to time.
Sec. 23. Section 27-49 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
Officers of the National Guard and naval militia shall be appointed
by the Governor, subject to the procedure prescribed in regulations of
the United States Department of Defense relating to the National Guard
and naval militia. The rule of seniority shall be followed when
practicable. Only such officers shall be commissioned in the National Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 18 of 27
Guard and naval militia as have successfully passed the tests and
examinations as to physical, moral and professional fitness prescribed
by the laws and regulations of the United States relating to the
qualifications of National Guard or naval militia officers. Officers of the
organized militia, as provided for in section 27-2, shall be appointed in
accordance with regulations approved by the Governor.
Sec. 24. Subsection (d) of section 1-219 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1, 2022):
(d) The provisions of this section concerning the maintenance and
recording of United States Department of Defense documents shall not
apply to the State Library Board or the State Librarian.
Sec. 25. Subsection (a) of section 8-106 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1, 2022):
(a) "Persons engaged in national defense activities" includes persons
in the military service of the United States; employees of the United
States Department of Defense; and workers engaged or to be engaged
in activities connected with and essential to national defense; and
includes the families of the aforesaid persons who are living with them.
Sec. 26. Subsection (b) of section 14-36h of the 2022 supplement to the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
(b) If any person does not reside in any state, territory or possession
of the United States because such person is on active military duty with
the United States Armed Forces, and such person's home state of record
is Connecticut, as reflected in the records of the United States
Department of Defense, United States Department of Homeland
Security or any federal department under which the United States Coast Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 19 of 27
Guard operates, such person may obtain a Connecticut operator's
license or identity card, provided such person: (1) Does not have an
operator's license or identity card issued by another state, territory or
possession of the United States, or surrenders any such license or
identity card; (2) has a current APO or FPO mailing address; (3)
designates such person's home address as 60 State Street, Wethersfield,
CT 06161; and (4) meets all other requirements for obtaining an
operator's license or identity card in this state.
Sec. 27. Section 17a-453d of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in
collaboration with the Department of Children and Families and the
Department of Veterans Affairs, shall provide behavioral health
services, on a transitional basis, for the dependents and any member of
any reserve component of the armed forces of the United States who has
been called to active service in the armed forces of the state or the United
States for Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Such transitional services shall be provided when no United States
Department of Defense coverage for such services is available or such
member is not eligible for such services through the United States
Department of Defense, until an approved application is received from
the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and coverage is
available to such member and such member's dependents.
Sec. 28. Subsection (b) of section 20-327f of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1, 2022):
(b) With respect to a contract for the sale of a one-to-four family
residential real property, if the seller provides written notice to the
purchaser, prior to, or upon, entering into the contract, of the availability
of information concerning environmental matters from the [federal] Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 20 of 27
United States Environmental Protection Agency, the National Response
Center, the United States Department of Defense and third-party
providers, the seller and any real estate licensee shall be deemed to have
fully satisfied any duty to disclose environmental matters concerning
properties other than the property that is the subject of the contract.
Sec. 29. Subsection (b) of section 22a-337 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1, 2022):
(b) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection is
designated as the shore erosion agency of the state for the purpose of
cooperating with the Beach Erosion Board of the United States
Department of Defense, as provided for in Section 2 of the "River and
Harbor Act" adopted by Congress and approved July 3, 1930, and
known as H.R. Number 11781 of the second session of the 71st Congress.
Said commissioner shall carry out investigations and studies of
conditions along the shore line, harbors, rivers and islands within the
territorial waters of the state in order to promote and encourage the
healthful recreation of its citizens and with a view to devising and
projecting economical and effective methods and works for preventing
and correcting shore erosion and damage to public and private property
therefrom and to prevent inundation of improved property by storms,
erosion and ravages of the sea.
Sec. 30. Section 5-224 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
Any veteran who served in time of war, if such veteran is not eligible
for disability compensation or pension from the [United States] United
States Department of Veterans Affairs, or the spouse of such veteran
who by reason of such veteran's disability is unable to pursue gainful
employment, or the unmarried surviving spouse of such veteran, and if
such person has attained at least the minimum earned rating on any Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 21 of 27
examination held for an original appointment for the purpose of
establishing a candidate list to fill a vacancy in accordance with
subsection (d) of section 5-228, shall have five points added to his or her
earned rating. Any such veteran, or the spouse of such veteran who by
reason of such veteran's disability is unable to pursue gainful
employment, or the unmarried surviving spouse of such veteran, if such
person is eligible for such disability compensation or pension and if
such person has attained at least the minimum earned rating on any
such examination held for an original appointment for the purpose of
establishing a candidate list to fill a vacancy in accordance with
subsection (d) of section 5-228, shall have ten points added to his or her
earned rating. Any veteran who has served in a military action for which
such person received or was entitled to receive a campaign badge or
expeditionary medal, shall have five points added to his or her earned
rating if such person has attained at least the minimum earned rating on
any such examination held for an original appointment for the purpose
of establishing a candidate list to fill a vacancy in accordance with
subsection (d) of section 5-228 and such person is not otherwise eligible
to receive additional points pursuant to this section. Any person who is
a member of the armed forces, as defined in section 27-103, as amended
by this act, and who is in the final year of an enlistment contract with
any branch of the armed forces shall have five points added to his or her
earned rating if such person has attained at least the minimum earned
rating on any such examination held for an original appointment for the
purpose of establishing a candidate list to fill a vacancy in accordance
with subsection (d) of section 5-228. Names of any such persons shall be
placed upon the candidate lists in the order of such augmented ratings.
Credits shall be based upon examinations with a possible rating of one
hundred points.
Sec. 31. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force to
(1) evaluate state property tax exemptions, abatements and other relief
granted to veterans, (2) make recommendations concerning whether Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 22 of 27
any such state veterans property tax relief should be adjusted to more
effectively align with the intent, at the time of enactment, for such relief,
and (3) create a list of municipalities in the state that have enacted local
veterans property tax relief and specify the nature of such relief in each
such municipality.
(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
(1) Two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives;
(2) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;
(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of
Representatives;
(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;
(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of
Representatives; and
(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate.
(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1),
(2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member
of the General Assembly.
(d) All initial appointments to the task force shall be made not later
than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall
be filled by the appointing authority.
(e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro
tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force from
among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall schedule
the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty
days after the effective date of this section. Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 23 of 27
(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the
General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to military and
veterans' affairs shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.
(g) Not later than January 1, 2023, the task force shall submit a report
on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committees
of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to
military and veterans' affairs and planning and development, in
accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
The task force shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or
January 1, 2023, whichever is later.
Sec. 32. (Effective from passage) Not later than September 1, 2022, the
Commissioner of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the joint standing
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
relating to veterans' affairs, in accordance with the provisions of section
11-4a of the general statutes, recommendations for improvements
regarding municipal veterans' representatives, as described in
subsection (b) of section 27-135 of the general statutes, to ensure
consistent, effective and efficient provision of services to veterans, as
defined in section 27-103 of the general statutes, as amended by this act,
throughout the state.
Sec. 33. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2022) (a) Any municipality, by vote
of its legislative body or, in a municipality where the legislative body is
a town meeting, by vote of the board of selectmen, may provide that any
veteran, as defined in section 27-103 of the general statutes, as amended
by this act, whose federal adjusted gross income is fifty thousand one
hundred dollars or less shall be entitled to an exemption from the tax
imposed under chapter 203 of the general statutes on any dwelling
owned and occupied by such veteran as such veteran's primary
residence, in an amount equal to ten per cent of the assessed value of
such primary residence. Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 24 of 27
(b) (1) Any veteran who claims an exemption under subsection (a) of
this section shall give notice to the town clerk of the municipality in
which such primary residence is located that such veteran is entitled to
such exemption.
(2) Any veteran submitting a claim for such exemption shall file an
application, on a form prepared by the assessor of the municipality in
which such primary residence is located, not later than the assessment
date with respect to which such exemption is claimed, which
application shall include (A) (i) a certified copy of such veteran's
military discharge document, as defined in section 1-219 of the general
statutes, as amended by this act, or (ii) in the absence of such certified
copy, at least two affidavits of disinterested individuals showing that
the claimant is a veteran, provided the assessor may further require such
claimant to be examined by such assessor under oath concerning the
facts contained in such affidavits, and (B) a copy of such veteran's
federal income tax return or, in the event such a return is not filed, such
evidence as may be required by the assessor, for the tax year of such
veteran ending immediately prior to the assessment date with respect
to which such exemption is claimed. The town clerk of the municipality
in which such primary residence is located shall record the certified
copy or affidavits submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this
subdivision in full and shall list the name of such veteran, and such
service shall be performed by such town clerk without remuneration.
No assessor, board of assessment appeals or other official shall allow
any such claim for exemption unless the certified copy or affidavits
specified in this subsection have been filed with the office of the town
clerk. Any veteran who has submitted a claim for such exemption and
received approval for the first time shall file for such exemption
biennially thereafter, subject to the provisions of subdivision (3) of this
subsection.
(3) The assessor of such municipality shall annually make a certified Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 25 of 27
list of all such veterans who are found to be entitled to an exemption
under the provisions of this section, which list shall be filed in the town
clerk's office and shall be prima facie evidence that any veteran whose
name appears on such list is entitled to such exemption, subject to the
provisions of subsection (c) of this section, as long as such veteran
continues to own and occupy the dwelling as such veteran's primary
residence. Such assessor may, at any time, require such veteran to
appear before such assessor for the purpose of furnishing additional
evidence, except that any veteran who, by reason of total disability, is
unable to so appear may furnish such assessor (A) a statement from such
veteran's attending physician or advanced practice registered nurse,
certifying that such veteran is totally disabled and unable to make a
personal appearance, and (B) such other evidence of total disability as
such assessor may deem appropriate.
(4) No veteran may receive an exemption under this section until
such veteran has proven such veteran's right to such exemption in
accordance with the provisions of this section, together with such
further proof as may be required under such provisions. Exemptions so
proven shall take effect on the next succeeding assessment day.
(c) Any veteran who has submitted an application and been
approved in any year for the exemption provided in subsection (a) of
this section shall, in the assessment year immediately following
approval, be presumed to qualify for such exemption. During the year
immediately following such approval, the assessor shall notify, in
writing, such veteran presumed to be qualified pursuant to this
subsection. If any such veteran has qualifying income in excess of the
maximum allowed under subsection (a) of this section, such veteran
shall notify the assessor on or before the next filing date of such
exemption and shall be denied such exemption for the assessment year
immediately following and for any subsequent year until such veteran
has reapplied and again qualified for such exemption. Any such veteran Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 26 of 27
who fails to notify the assessor of such disqualification shall make
payment to the municipality in the amount of property tax loss related
to such exemption improperly taken.
Sec. 34. Section 12-2b of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022):
The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall:
(1) In consultation with the Commissioner of Agriculture, develop
schedules of unit prices for property classified under sections 12-107a to
12-107e, inclusive, update such schedules by October 1, 1990, and every
five years thereafter, and make such data, studies and schedules
available to municipalities and the public;
(2) [develop] Develop regulations setting forth standards and tests
for: Certifying revaluation companies and their employees, which
regulations shall ensure that a revaluation company is competent in
appraising and valuing property, certifying revaluation companies and
their employees, requiring that a certified employee supervise all
valuations performed by a revaluation company for municipalities,
maintaining lists of certified revaluation companies and upon request,
advising municipalities in drafting contracts with revaluation
companies, and conducting investigations and withdrawing the
certification of any revaluation company or employee found not to be
conforming to such regulations. The regulations shall provide for the
imposition of a fee payable to a testing service designated by the
secretary to administer certification examinations; [and]
(3) [by] By himself, or by an agent whom he may appoint, inquire if
all property taxes [which] that are due and collectible by each town or
city not consolidated with a town, are in fact collected and paid to the
treasurer thereof in the manner prescribed by law, and if accounts and
records of the tax collectors and treasurers of such entities are adequate Substitute House Bill No. 5367
Public Act No. 22-34 27 of 27
and properly kept. The secretary may hold meetings, conferences or
schools for assessors, tax collectors or municipal finance officers; and
(4) Provide jointly with the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs a
written notice annually to municipalities and veterans' organizations of
the property tax exemptions that a municipality may opt to approve
under chapter 203 for veterans, veterans' relatives or spouses or persons
killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed
forces.