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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
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HB 2245: veterans claims pilot program
Sponsor: Representative Blackman, LD 7
Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
Overview
Appropriates an unspecified amount from the state General Fund (GF) to the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services to fund the establishment of the Veteran Claims Pilot Program.
History
Laws 1999, Chapter 164 established the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services (ADVS) as a separate entity responsible for providing and establishing claims, privileges, rights and benefits that veterans, their families and dependents may have under federal, state or local law.
ADVS delivers these services through the administration of professional benefit counselors, skilled-nursing Veterans' Home facilities and Veterans' Memorial Cemeteries. Additionally, the department adopts rules to administer the Department, evaluates educational and training programs for veterans and their dependents and cooperates with government and private agencies that deliver services or benefits to veterans (A.R.S. § 41-603)(ADVS).
State and federal benefits provided to veteran claimants are initiated by Veteran Benefits Counselors (VBCs), who are accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) and currently located at 31 different agencies and veteran service offices across Arizona. VBCs also support claimants by: 1) educating them on eligibility requirements; 2) representing them at VA hearings; 3) referring them to other agencies for potential benefits; and 4) filing compensation, pension and survivor's benefits applications (ADVS-VBCs).
Provisions
1. Appropriates an unspecified amount from the state GF in FY 2027 to ADVS for the Veteran Claims Pilot Program (Program) and exempts the appropriation from lapsing. (Sec. 3)
2. Establishes the Program in ADVS to evaluate the effectiveness of claims development technology systems designed to do the following:
a. conduct digital reviews of veterans medical and personnel records;
b. identify all primary and secondary service-connected conditions based on the digital review and available evidence;
c. map documented conditions to applicable federal diagnostic and rating criteria; and
d. produce complete and fully developed disability compensation claim packets suitable for submission to the VA. (Sec. 1)
3. Requires ADVS to integrate the Program with existing state veteran benefits counselors, county veteran service offices, tribal veteran programs and any accredited nonprofit service officers to assess the effectiveness of the Program. (Sec. 1)
4. Directs ADVS to select officers to participate in the Program from:
a. veteran benefit counseling offices in urban areas;
b. county veteran service offices; and
c. tribal veterans service programs, subject to tribal approval. (Sec. 1)
5. Directs ADVS to establish a control group consisting of accredited personnel who do not use the claims development technology system during the Program. (Sec. 1)
6. Requires ADVS to ensure that:
a. Program users receive appropriate training;
b. veterans retain full access to traditional veterans' services;
c. data collected is not used for any commercial or non-program purposes; and
d. all records are handled in compliance with state and federal privacy laws. (Sec. 1)
7. States that participation in the Program does not alter or limit the role of accredited VBCs or benefit officers in representing or assisting veterans in this state. (Sec. 1)
8. Allows ADVS to enter into agreements, memoranda of understanding or service contracts necessary to administer the Program. (Sec. 1)
9. Specifies performance indicators that ADVS must use for evaluation of Program effectiveness. (Sec. 1)
10. Directs ADVS to develop a report including the following information and to submit the report to outlined government officials:
a. a description of Program activities and participating offices;
b. a comparison between Program participants and the control group;
c. the estimated fiscal impact to the state, including reductions in state or county safety net expenditures;
d. the estimated increase in federal disability compensation awarded to veterans in this state; and
e. recommendations on whether to expand, modify or discontinue the Program. (Sec. 1)
11. Defines claims development technology system. (Sec. 1)
12. Repeals all statutory language associated with the Program from and after June 30, 2027. (Sec. 2)
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16. Initials GG/AI HB 2245
17. 1/26/2026 Page 0 Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
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