House Bill No. 6438, also known as Public Act No. 25-95, seeks to enhance support for military service members and veterans in Connecticut through various amendments to existing laws. The bill allocates $169,000 to the Military Department for a joint enlistment enhancement program and modifies income eligibility criteria for state assistance programs. Specifically, it allows the Commissioner of Social Services to disregard certain United States Department of Veterans Affairs-administered pension benefits, such as Aid and Attendance and Housebound pension benefits, when determining eligibility for Medicare savings, medical assistance, and energy assistance programs. The bill also repeals and substitutes several subsections to clarify the treatment of veterans' benefits in income calculations, eliminating the asset test for the Medicare Savings Program and ensuring that all non-service-connected pension benefits are disregarded from income calculations, effective July 1, 2025.

Additionally, the bill introduces amendments to tuition and fee structures at regional community-technical colleges and state universities, mandating the waiver of tuition and extension fees for eligible veterans and National Guard members. It establishes a financial assistance framework for students demonstrating substantial financial need and requires the state to reimburse operating funds for any tuition waivers exceeding specified revenue percentages. The bill also enhances public defender services for veterans by modifying the definition of "indigent defendant" and increasing staffing requirements for the Office of Advocacy and Assistance for veterans. Furthermore, it establishes a Small Business Express program to support small businesses, particularly those owned by disabled veterans, and mandates training for municipal veterans advisory committees. Overall, House Bill No. 6438 aims to improve access to assistance programs and educational opportunities for veterans and their families while ensuring fair treatment in financial matters.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 27-138b
VA Joint Favorable: 27-138b
File No. 54: 27-138b
APP Joint Favorable: 27-138b
Public Act No. 25-95: 32-7g