2021 Veterans Legislative Wrap-Up

On May 26, 2021 Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed 12 bills, including four pieces of legislation aimed at increasing services for Veterans in Nevada.

The Governor was joined by Nevada Department of Veterans (NDVS) Director Kat Miller as well as Chairman Andy LePeilbet and Secretary Tony Yarbrough with the United Veterans Legislative Council (UVLC) to sign – Assembly Bill 22, Assembly Bill 76 and Assembly Bill 77 into law.

“Whether transitioning from military to civilian life or in need of health care support, these new programs will make a tremendous difference in the lives of our veterans and their families,” said Gov. Sisolak. “These programs fill a need by allowing those who have served our country, along with their families, to live their best lives in the State they have chosen to call “home".

AB 22 establishes a State of Nevada military-to-civilian transition program designed to provide military men and women with the resources and access to earned benefits as they leave the military and become civilians. The program will provide these veterans with information and resources to help them obtain education, career training, physical and mental health care, as well as other benefits to provide them with the tools to be successful in civilian life.

AB 76 paves the way to establish adult day health care at Nevada State Veterans Homes in Sparks and Boulder City. This type of care provides respite for caregivers of veterans allowing caregivers to go to work, handle personal business, or relax knowing the person in need of care or supervision is in a safe environment. Adult day health care offers enjoyable activities and meaningful social interaction to participants. These activities can delay cognitive decline and improve both mental and physical health.

AB 77 expands NDVS’ role in the prevention of suicide and homelessness. It also provides predictability and consistency to NDVS Commissions and Advisory Boards by making all terms of service for every appointee a three-year commitment.

“Signing these bills into law provides us with the ability to give our veterans and their families the resources and services they deserve and have certainly earned through their military service,” said NDVS Director Kat Miller. “We can’t thank the Governor and the Nevada Legislature enough, along with our partners such as the UVLC, for their support of the military and veteran community. Their unwavering support of Nevada veterans and their families was key to passage of these important bills.”

“Veterans identified these new programs as areas they wanted addressed in this session of the legislature during our 2020 Legislative Symposia,” said Andy LePeilbet, UVLC Chairman. “We are grateful the Governor and our lawmakers listened to the veteran community and responded by passing these bills that have now been signed into law. Thank you to all who helped to make this possible.”

NDVS has already begun work to develop the military-to-civilian transition program. The Nevada Transition Assistance Program or NVTAP will be implemented in coordination with Department of Defense transition centers across Nevada. It will also consist of classroom and online training. NVTAP will support veterans, active duty, Nevada National Guard and Reserve as well as families in transitioning from the military.

The initial steps in support of adult day health care will includes a needs analysis, as well as facility recommendations and affordability studies that could begin as soon as January 2022.

Additionally, the Governor and the NDVS were joined by Assemblywoman Krasner as he signed Assembly Bill 102, which allows the State to issue annual permits for entering, camping, and boating in all state parks and recreational areas to all honorably discharged Veterans with a permanent service-connected disability.