Researcher: MHF Page 1 3/27/25
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 6748
AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECORDING OF A MILITARY
DISCHARGE CHARACTERIZATION UPON A STATE VETERANS
REGISTRY AS "HONORABLE" AND MAKING A MINOR TECHNICAL
REVISION TO A CERTAIN SUCH CHARACTERIZATION.
SUMMARY
This bill allows veterans with qualifying conditions who have
received an other-than-honorable (OTH) discharge to apply for their
discharge from the armed forces to be characterized as honorable in the
state’s veteran registry. The state’s veteran registry is primarily a
repository of contact information and other veteran data to facilitate
notifying veterans of military and veterans benefits information.
Recording a veteran’s discharge as honorable in the registry does not
affect benefits eligibility.
The bill requires the Eligibility Qualifying Review Board (EQRB) (see
BACKGROUND) to review all applications within 30 days of receiving
them. The veteran may include evidence supporting the claim that the
other-than-honorable discharge was based on a qualifying condition.
The board must make a recommendation to the veteran s affairs
commissioner within 30 days of its review on whether a veteran’s OTH
discharge was based on a qualifying condition. The commissioner must
issue a written decision approving or denying the application within 10
days of receiving the recommendation. If the application is approved,
the veteran’s discharge characterization must be recorded in the registry
as honorable. As under existing law for EQRB applications, the veteran
may request reconsideration and supply additional information if the
application is denied.
Under existing law and the bill, a qualifying condition is a (1) post-
traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury diagnosis by a
licensed health care professional at a U.S. Department of Veterans 2025HB-06748-R000305-BA.DOCX
Researcher: MHF Page 2 3/27/25
Affairs facility; (2) military sexual trauma disclosed to such a health care
professional; or (3) determination by the EQRB that sexual orientation,
gender identity, or gender expression was more likely than not the
primary reason for the OTH discharge (CGS § 27-103).
The bill also makes technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
BACKGROUND
Veteran
By law, a veteran is anyone honorably discharged or released under
honorable conditions, or released with an other-than-honorable
discharge based on a qualifying condition, from active service in the
armed forces (i.e. the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard,
Space Force, Air Force, and any of their reserve components, including
the Connecticut National Guard when under federal service).
When servicemembers leave the armed forces, they are assigned a
discharge rating generally tied to their conduct during their service. In
order to receive state and federal benefits, a member usually must
receive a discharge under honorable conditions. Veterans who receive
an OTH discharge generally cannot receive veterans benefits.
Eligibility Qualifying Review Board
By law, the EQRB must review applications from veterans who
believe their OTH discharge was based on their sexual orientation,
gender identity, or gender expression. In practice, EQRB also reviews
applications from veterans who believe their OTH discharge was based
on post-traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury resulting
from military service, or was a result of military sexual trauma.
After its review, the EQRB must recommend to the veterans affairs
commissioner whether sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender
expression was more likely than not the primary reason for the OTH
discharge. If the commissioner approves the application, the veteran
qualifies for state veterans benefits. 2025HB-06748-R000305-BA.DOCX
Researcher: MHF Page 3 3/27/25
COMMITTEE ACTION
Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 19 Nay 1 (03/11/2025)