HF 2321 (LSB 5041HV (3) 83)

HOUSE FILE 2321

BY  COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 2102)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to providing veteran services to inmates incarcerated in a jail or municipal holding facility.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  356.6A  Duty to inform about veteran services.

   The personnel of a jail or municipal holding facility shall inform a prisoner, within twenty-four hours of incarceration, that if the prisoner is a veteran of the United States military forces who has been released from active duty within the previous five years, the prisoner may be entitled to a visit from a veteran service officer to determine if veteran services are required or available. Within twenty-four hours of determining a prisoner is a veteran who has been released from active duty within the previous five years, the personnel of a jail or municipal holding facility shall inform the county commission of veteran affairs of the county where the jail or facility is located that a prisoner at the jail or facility is a veteran and may be entitled to a visit from a veteran service officer.
EXPLANATION
   This bill relates to providing veteran services to inmates incarcerated in a jail or municipal holding facility.
   The bill requires the personnel of a jail or municipal holding facility, to inform a prisoner, within 24 hours of incarceration, that if the prisoner is a veteran who has been released from active duty within the previous five years, the prisoner may be entitled to a visit from a veteran service officer to determine if veteran services are required or available. 
   If it is determined that the prisoner is a veteran who has been released from active duty within the previous five years, the bill requires the personnel of the jail or municipal holding facility, within 24 hours of making the determination, to inform the county commission of veteran affairs of the county where the jail or facility is located that a prisoner at the jail or facility is a veteran and may be entitled to a visit from a veteran service officer.