A bill for an act
relating to veterans; expanding the definition of veteran to include Special Guerrilla
Unit forces; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.447.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.447, is amended to read:
new text begin (a) new text end The word "veteran" as used in Minnesota Statutes, except in sections 136F.28, 196.21,
and 243.251, means a citizen of the United States or a resident alien who has been separated
under honorable conditions from any branch of the armed forces of the United States after
having served on active duty for 181 consecutive days or by reason of disability incurred
while serving on active duty, or who has met the minimum active duty requirement as
defined by Code of Federal Regulations, title 38, section 3.12a, or who has active military
service certified under section 401, Public Law 95-202. The active military service must
be certified by the United States secretary of defense as active military service and a discharge
under honorable conditions must be issued by the secretary.
new text begin
(b) The word veteran also means an individual whom the commissioner of veterans
affairs determines served honorably with the Special Guerilla Unit or irregular forces
operating from a base in Laos in support of the armed forces of the United States at any
time during the period beginning February 28, 1961, and ending May 14, 1975.
new text end