INDIANAPOLIS — A bill that sparked strong debate about who should be eligible for emergency services to help former military personnel has passed both houses of the General Assembly, and is expected to be sent to Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb for his signature.
Senate Bill 316, authored by Sen. Chris Garten, R-Sullivan, will expand the number of veterans eligible to receive benefits from the $3.75 million Military Family Relief Fund, which receives revenue from donations and the sale of “Support Our Troops” license plates. The maximum benefit is $2,500 to pay rent, electric bills and mortgage payments during emergencies.
Those dishonorably discharged from the military will remain ineligible for help under the bill’s regulations.
The bill has set off controversy among some of Indiana’s estimated 550,000 veterans because the fund could be used to provide benefits to those with “Bad Conduct” and “Other Than Honorable” discharges, said retired U.S. Air Force General Mark Pillar, Columbus.
“It’s a very emotional and very controversial matter because you have veterans groups that are absolutely for it – and you have veteran groups who are against it because they feel it diminishes their status,” Pillar said.
For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.
