This bill establishes a service animal training grant program specifically for eligible veterans, administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It defines key terms such as "accredited organization," "eligible veteran," and "service animal training services." The program is designed to award grants to eligible veterans to cover costs associated with service animal training, with an annual appropriation of $100,000 from the state’s general fund starting in the fiscal year 2026. Each eligible veteran can receive a grant of up to $5,000 once in their lifetime, with the funds paid directly to the accredited organization providing the training.
Additionally, the bill mandates the Department to adopt rules for the program's administration, including criteria for accreditation of organizations, eligibility requirements for veterans, and procedures to prevent duplicate grants. The Department may also establish fees for accredited organizations to help offset administrative costs. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of outreach by requiring the Department to coordinate with county veteran affairs commissions and other veteran service organizations to assist eligible veterans in the application process.