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Panel advances bill allowing surviving spouses to keep state education benefits after remarriage
Summary
Senate File 19‑30 would let surviving spouses or eligible dependents retain Minnesota education benefits awarded because of a veteran’s line‑of‑duty death even if the spouse later remarries; committee approved a technical amendment and laid the bill over for possible inclusion.
The subcommittee unanimously approved a technical amendment and laid over Senate File 19‑30, a bipartisan bill to allow surviving spouses and eligible dependents of veterans killed in the line of duty to retain certain Minnesota education benefits regardless of subsequent remarriage.
Current Minnesota law removes some survivor education benefits if a surviving spouse remarries. Sponsor Sen. Howe said the change would let survivors pursue education without having to choose between remarriage and continuing benefits, which can be especially important for households with children.
Dr. Christy Janigo and Leah Patton of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition testified in support. Janigo described veterans’ families and survivors as a legislative priority for veterans groups, and Patton framed the change as supporting family stability and economic opportunity.
The panel adopted an author's technical amendment clarifying language and laid the bill over for possible inclusion in future legislation.
