SSB 3126 (LSB 5451XD (5) 90)

SENATE/HOUSE FILE _____

BY  (PROPOSED DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS BILL)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to qualifications of commissioners, executive directors, and administrators of county commissions of veteran affairs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 35A.5, subsection 9, Code 2024, is amended by striking the subsection and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
   9.  Verify each executive director and administrator of a county commission of veteran affairs is fully qualified to work in the person’s position. Qualifications include but are not limited to all of the following:
   a.  The person has obtained certification that is federally required for the executive director’s or administrator’s position within twelve months of beginning the person’s employment.
   b.  The person has obtained a personal identification verification card necessary to access the veterans benefits management system within twelve months of beginning the person’s employment.
   c.  The person maintains certification that is federally required for the executive director’s or administrator’s position.
   d.  The person maintains an active personal identification verification card and has access to the veterans benefits management system.
   e.  The person is proficient in the use of electronic mail, general computer use, and use of the internet to access information regarding facilities, benefits, and services available to veterans and their families.
    Sec. 2.  Section 35A.16, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code 2024, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  If sufficient moneys are available, the department shall annually allocate ten thousand dollars to each county commission of veteran affairs, or to each county sharing the services of an executive director or administrator pursuant to chapter 28E, to be used to provide services to veterans pursuant to section 35B.6 and to provide for and maintain accreditation in accordance with the policies and procedures of the United States department of veterans affairs. Each county receiving an allocation shall annually report on expenditure of the allocation in a form agreed to by the department and county representatives.
    Sec. 3.  Section 35A.17, subsection 1, Code 2024, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  A county commission of veteran affairs training program is created under the control of the department for the purpose of providing training, certification, and accreditation opportunities for county commissions of veteran affairs commissioners, executive directors, administrators, and employees.
    Sec. 4.  Section 35A.17, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code 2024, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  The department shall use funds deposited in the county commission of veteran affairs training program account to organize statewide or regional training conferences and provide training, certification, and accreditation opportunities for county commissions of veteran affairs commissioners, executive directors, administrators, and employees, consistent with the requirements of section 35A.5, subsection 9.
    Sec. 5.  Section 35B.6, subsection 1, paragraph c, Code 2024, is amended to read as follows:
   c.  (1)  Upon the employment of an executive director or administrator, the executive director or administrator shall complete a course of for the purpose of obtaining certification training provided by the department of veterans affairs pursuant to section 35A.5 federally required for the person’s position and a personal identification verification card necessary to access the veterans benefits management system. If an executive director or administrator fails to obtain certification or a personal identification verification card within one year of being employed, the executive director or administrator shall be removed from office. The department shall issue the executive director or administrator a certificate of training after completion of the certification training course. To maintain certification, the Upon a request from a county commission of veteran affairs and based on extenuating circumstances, the commandant of the Iowa department of veterans affairs may extend the time frame for an executive director or administrator to obtain a personal identification verification card. 
   (2)  An executive director or administrator shall satisfy the continuing education requirements established by the national association of county veterans service officers and the United States department of veterans affairs. Failure of an executive director or administrator to maintain certification shall be cause for removal from office. The expenses of training the executive director or administrator shall be paid from the appropriation authorized in section 35B.14.
   (3)  An executive director or administrator shall satisfy the continuing education requirements necessary to maintain an active personal identification verification card and access to the veterans benefits management system. Failure of an executive director or administrator to maintain certification and access to the veterans benefits management system shall be cause for removal from office.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill replaces the Iowa department of veterans affairs’ (IDVA) duty to provide certification training to executive directors and administrators of county commissions of veteran affairs (CCVA) with the duty to verify each executive director and administrator of a CCVA is fully qualified to work in the person’s position. Such qualifications include but are not limited to obtaining certification that is federally required for the executive director’s or administrator’s position within 12 months of beginning the person’s employment; obtaining a personal identification verification (PIV) card necessary to access the veterans benefits management system (VBMS) within 12 months of beginning the person’s employment; maintaining certification that is federally required for the executive director’s or administrator’s position; maintaining an active PIV card and access to VBMS; and having proficiency in the use of electronic mail, general computer use, and use of the internet to access information regarding facilities, benefits, and services available to veterans and their families.
   The bill requires a CCVA executive director or administrator to complete a course for the purpose of obtaining certification federally required for the person’s position and a PIV card necessary to access VBMS. If an executive director or administrator fails to obtain certification or a PIV card within one year of being employed, the executive director or administrator shall be removed from office unless the deadline is extended upon the CCVA’s request and the approval of the commandant of the IDVA. Under current law, the IDVA is required to provide the training and issue a certificate of completion.
   The bill also adds CCVA commissioners to those who may receive training under the county commission of veteran affairs training program.
   The bill requires an executive director or administrator to satisfy the continuing education requirements established by the United States department of veterans affairs and the requirements necessary to maintain an active PIV card and access to the VBMS. Failure of an executive director or administrator to maintain certification and access to VBMS shall be cause for removal from office.
   By operation of law, the bill affects the report that the IDVA must submit under Code section 35A.5 (IDVA duties) and the obligations that a county must meet for funding under Code section 35A.16 (CCVA fund).