The 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 supplying service dogs to disabled veterans. The DMVA is tasked with developing guidelines and procedures 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 grant recipients cannot charge disabled veterans for the service dogs provided and requires the DMVA to offer a veterinary insurance policy for each service dog, which will remain in effect regardless of the grant program's status.
Additionally, the bill stipulates that grant recipients must report their use of funds to the DMVA, and the Adjutant General is required to request sufficient funding for the program in the annual budget. The implementation of the grant program is contingent upon future legislative appropriations, and the bill will take effect 30 days after enactment, allowing the DMVA to take necessary administrative actions in advance.