Senate Bill No. 238, also known as Public Act No. 24-57, is legislation that expands the eligibility for grants from the Military Relief Fund. The bill modifies subsection (c) of section 27-100a of the general statutes, with the changes set to take effect on July 1, 2024. The Military Department is authorized to use the Military Relief Fund to provide grants to eligible members of the armed forces or their immediate family members for essential personal or household goods or services within the state. The grants are intended to alleviate financial hardship that may arise due to the military service of the eligible member.
The bill introduces new legal language to the existing statute. The insertions specify that grants can be made not only because of the military service of the eligible member but also due to (1) a serious injury or illness, or (2) the death of such eligible member or immediate family member. The deletion removes the word "the" before "eligible member," and the word "immediate" is inserted to clarify that family members are included in the provision. Additionally, the bill stipulates that the department cannot award any grant exceeding five thousand dollars or the balance available for grants in the fund. The act was approved on May 28, 2024.