The bill enacts new provisions under R.S. 46:122 to expand the Louisiana Military Family Assistance Fund's authorized expenditures. It introduces two specific uses for the fund: to cover burial fees for deceased indigent veterans or their spouses and to provide financial assistance for eligible beneficiaries under R.S. 29:288. The definition of "indigent" is clarified to include individuals receiving public assistance or earning below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline prior to their death.
Additionally, the bill grants the Louisiana Military Family Assistance Board the authority to issue annual grants to tax-exempt organizations that have been operational for at least three years and aim to support the education, mental health, or housing needs of veterans and their families. Each grant is capped at $10,000, with a total limit of $100,000 in grants per fiscal year. The bill outlines application requirements, stipulates that grant funds cannot be used for unrelated financial obligations, and mandates grantees to submit final reports and retain records for auditing purposes. Grantees must also repay any unused funds within thirty days of the final report submission.