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House committee approves bill to standardize accreditation and oversight of county veteran service officers
Summary
The House Veterans Affairs Committee passed an amended version of Senate Bill 433, creating a state-directed accreditation program for county veteran service officers and adding public meeting requirements; proponents said it will raise standards, while some witnesses warned the measure risks reintroducing state supervision over county employees.
The House Veterans Affairs Committee voted to pass an amended version of Senate Bill 433 on Oct. 12, directing the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs to create a state accreditation program for county veteran service officers and requiring biannual public progress meetings.
Sponsor Sen. Scott Baldwin told the committee the bill is “aimed at providing support for veterans by making sure that we have a qualified cadre of veteran service officers.” He said the proposal grants the IDVA director authority to oversee training and accreditation of service officers and to supervise administrative and technical activities within the department.
The bill drew support from veterans groups and county service officers who said a consistent accreditation standard would improve service statewide. Judy King of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Indiana, said the VFW can cross-accredit county officers and “this process only takes about a week.” Alex Dobson, Steuben County…
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