A3360 1R

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman CLEOPATRA G. TUCKER

District 28 (Essex)

Assemblyman MATTHEW W. MILAM

District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)

Assemblyman GILBERT "WHIP" L. WILSON

District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywomen McHose, Mosquera, Assemblymen DiMaio, Peterson, Senators Beach and Allen

SYNOPSIS

Creates Veterans Haven North Council; renames current Veterans Haven Council to Veterans Haven South Council.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As reported by the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee on November 14, 2013, with amendments.

An Act creating a Veterans Haven North Council and amending P.L.2011, c.170 ¹and P.L.2007, c.233¹.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Section 1 of P.L.2011, c.170 (C.38A:3-47) is amended to read as follows:

1. a. There is created within the Division of Veterans' Services in the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs [an] two advisory [council] councils to be known as [the] Veterans Haven North Council and Veterans Haven South Council. The Veterans Haven North Council shall represent the northern facility and the Veterans Haven South Council shall represent the southern facility. The two councils shall have joint meetings no less than once each calendar year.

[The] Each council shall consist of eight members, at least five of whom are veterans, and shall include no less than two women. The Deputy Commissioner of Veterans' Affairs, or a designee, shall serve as a nonvoting ex-officio member on each council. Each member shall be appointed by the Adjutant General with the approval of the Governor. The term of each council member shall be three years, except that of the first appointments pursuant to this section, two shall be for a term of one year, two for a term of two years, and three for a term of three years. At no time shall a member be allowed to serve more than two terms in the aggregate, or on both councils at the same time.

b. The members of each council shall nominate a chairperson by majority vote of the members, and four members shall constitute a majority. The chairperson of [the] each council shall be its presiding officer and shall serve until a successor has been nominated by the council.

c. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Members of the council shall be subject to removal by the Adjutant General at any time for good and sufficient cause.

d. The members of the council shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for actual expenditures incurred in the performance of their duties within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available for this purpose.

(cf: P.L.2011, c.170, s.1)

2. Section 2 of P.L.2011, c.170 (C.38A:3-48) is amended to read as follows:

2. Under general policies established by the Adjutant General, [the] each Veterans Haven council shall:

a. Formulate comprehensive policies for the coordination of all services for the benefit of veterans housed at the Veterans Haven [facility] facilities;

b. Consult with and advise the Deputy Commissioner of Veterans' Affairs and the Director of Veterans' Services with respect to the work of each Veterans Haven facility;

c. Recommend standards and procedures for application and termination of eligibility for admission to each Veterans Haven facility; and

d. Recommend standards of care, treatment and discipline governing the relationship between each Veterans Haven facility and the persons admitted thereto.

(cf: P.L.2011, c.170, s.2)

¹3. Section 1 of P.L.2007, c.233 (C.54A:9-25.24) is amended to read as follows:

1. a. There is established in the Department of the Treasury a special fund to be known as the "New Jersey Veterans Haven Support Fund."

b. Each taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution shall be deposited in the special fund.

c. Any costs incurred by the Division of Taxation for collection or administration attributable to this act may be deducted from receipts collected pursuant to this act, as determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury. The State Treasurer shall deposit net contributions collected pursuant to this section to the "New Jersey Veterans Haven Support Fund."

d. The Legislature shall annually appropriate all funds deposited in the "New Jersey Veterans Haven Support Fund" to the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to support the vocational and transitional housing program at the New Jersey Veterans Haven [facility] facilities.¹

(cf: P.L.2007, c.233, s.1)

¹[3.] 4.¹ This act shall take effect immediately.