The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6438, aims to amend Section 27-138b of the general statutes concerning the process for veterans seeking aid from the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund in Connecticut. The bill stipulates that any applicant who is denied aid must receive written notice via registered mail, detailing the reasons for the denial. The applicant is then allowed to request a hearing on the denial not later than fifteen days after the notice is mailed. The administrator is required to inform the applicant of the hearing's date and location within five days of receiving the request, with the hearing to be held no earlier than thirty days after the notice.

Key changes in the bill include the replacement of the phrases "within" and "of" with "not later than" and "after," respectively, to clarify the timeline for requesting a hearing and for notifying the applicant. Additionally, the term "less" is replaced with "earlier" to specify the timing of the hearing. The bill also ensures that applicants have the right to legal representation during the hearing and mandates that a transcript or recording of the hearing be made. Finally, it allows for an appeal process for applicants dissatisfied with the administrator's decision. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 27-138b
VA Joint Favorable: 27-138b
File No. 54: 27-138b
APP Joint Favorable: 27-138b