SB0344: A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning public safety and to make an appropriation.

Page last updated: Sunday, April 20, 2025 at 7:47 PM (America/Indianapolis).

General Information

• Stage: Introduced Senate Bill (S)
• Current Chamber: senate
• Origin Chamber: senate
• Description: Veterans service officers.

Legislators

Actions (3 total)

• Jan 28, 2025, 11:07 AM: Senator Tomes added as second author
• Jan 13, 2025, 11:34 AM: First reading: referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and The Military
• Jan 13, 2025, 11:34 AM: Authored by Senator Qaddoura

Digest

Defines "qualified part-time service officer". Establishes the county service officer grant fund to provide grants to counties for salaries for county service officers, including qualified part-time service officers. Requires the Indiana department of veterans' affairs commission (commission) to adopt rules establishing minimum annual salaries that a county must pay for county service officers, including qualified part-time service officers, in order for the county to receive a grant. Provides that the Indiana department of veterans' affairs (department) shall administer the fund. Requires a county or city service officer appointed or employed after June 30, 2025, to be accredited by the National Association of County Service Officers. Requires each county to appoint a county service officer. (Current law provides that a county may appoint a county service officer.) Requires a county that does not contain a consolidated city to employ: (1) a full-time service officer or two qualified part-time service officers if the county has at least 5,000 veterans residing in the county; and (2) an additional qualified part-time service officer for each additional 2,500 veterans. Requires a county containing a consolidated city to hire at least one full-time service officer or two qualified part-time service officers for each 10,000 veterans residing in the county. Requires that a county or city service officer appointed or employed before July 1, 2025, must be accredited by the National Association of County Service Officers before July 1, 2027. Makes an appropriation.