House Bill 2143, also known as Senate Bill 2483, amends Tennessee Code Annotated to enhance the structure and operation of local veterans service offices. The bill introduces new provisions that require county and municipal governing bodies to select personnel for these offices, designating those who have served in the armed forces as "county veterans service officers (CVSOs)" and those who have not as "county veterans service representatives (CVSRs)." It allows counties with populations over 75,000 to hire administrative assistants without requiring them to hold accreditation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, the bill mandates that all CVSOs and CVSRs must undergo background checks, attain accreditation within six months of appointment, and complete ongoing training to maintain their credentials.

Furthermore, the bill establishes guidelines for staffing levels, salary rates, and the provision of grants to local governing bodies for hiring and training CVSOs and CVSRs. It encourages local offices to maintain adequate staffing based on their veteran populations and designates a CVSO as the director when three or more CVSOs or CVSRs are employed. The commissioner of veterans services is tasked with publishing annual guidance on staffing recommendations and minimum salary rates, while ensuring that state funding for local offices is strictly allocated for salaries, benefits, supplies, and training. The act aims to improve the delivery of services to veterans and ensure that local offices are adequately staffed and funded.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 58-3-109, 58-3-111