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Senate committee expands veterans home eligibility to some non‑Title 10 Guard members
Summary
The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare voted to report House Bill 60 favorably after testimony that the bill would allow certain Louisiana National Guard members who were not activated under federal Title 10 orders to live in state veterans homes at private cost.
Acting Chair and committee members voted to report House Bill 60 favorably after presentations explaining the measure would expand residency eligibility at state veterans homes to some Louisiana National Guard members who were not activated under Title 10 federal orders.
The bill’s sponsor described the change as limited to Guard members who were not activated on Title 10 and said there would be no state cost. “There’s no cost to the state. Any money that would be charged for staying in [the] facility would be taken care of by the individual member,” the bill presenter told the committee.
Connor Junkin, executive counsel for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, provided context: he said current statute limited veterans‑home eligibility to veterans activated under Title 10 and that the bill would expand residency to Guardsmen who only served under training orders. Junkin summarized the practical effect: the change would permit members who had not been federally activated to reside in the homes under private‑pay arrangements.
Senator Boudreau commended the outreach and urged the committee to continue expanding services for veterans; at the appropriate time he moved the bill be reported favorably and the motion carried with no recorded opposition.
The committee entered supporting testimony cards from residents and advocates; no fiscal impact to the state was reported during the hearing. The bill will proceed from the committee as a favorable report.
