HB2279: Benefit claims assistance; requires Commissioner Dept. of Veterans Services to ensure assistance.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That 2.2-2002 and 2.2-2002.1 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
2.2-2002. Department offices.
The Commissioner shall maintain an office in the vicinity of the State Capitol in Richmond. He may maintain service offices in the Commonwealth in whatever locations he determines to be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The Commissioner shall ensure that benefit claims assistance is provided on a regular basis at locations other than established service offices.
2.2-2002.1. Department personnel.
The Commissioner shall be responsible for appointing the
personnel assigned to each service office and determining the compensation to
be paid to such personnel. In determining the number of personnel assigned to
each service office, the Commissioner shall ensure the number of employees
assigned to the processing of benefit claims is sufficient to maintain a ratio
of one staff person for every 26,212 veterans residing in the Commonwealth. The
Commissioner shall also ensure that the personnel assigned to processing
benefit claims provide these services to veterans in locations other than the
service office at least one day per week.