This bill establishes the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Grant Program within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to provide grants to nonprofit organizations for the purpose of supplying service dogs to disabled veterans. The DMVA is tasked with developing guidelines and criteria for grant applications, which must include proposals for service dog provision, training descriptions, additional support services, marketing plans targeting disabled veterans, commitments to humane animal standards, and proof of accreditation from recognized organizations. The bill mandates that nonprofit organizations receiving grants cannot charge disabled veterans for the service dogs.
Additionally, the bill requires the DMVA to provide a veterinary insurance policy for each service dog given to a disabled veteran, which will remain in effect regardless of the grant program's status. Grant recipients are also obligated to report on their use of the funds to the DMVA. The implementation of this program is contingent upon future appropriations by the Legislature.