November 12, 2012

GOV. MALLOY SIGNS LEGISLATION TO PROTECT VETERANS' CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman joined state leaders, faculty and students at the Yale Law School, Connecticut veterans, and other officials to ceremonially sign Public Act 12-195, An Act Concerning Fundraising for Veterans Organizations .

"It is fitting that on the day we celebrate our veterans and their service to the nation we are also recognizing new laws that will help members of our armed forces and their advocates," said Governor Malloy. "Public Act 12-195 ensures that we are working to serve our troops just as they have-and continue to-defend us. Thanks to the leadership of Veterans Committee chairs Senator Carlo Leone and Representative Jack Hennessy, and Ranking Members Senator Jason Welch and Representative Al Adinolfi, we are welcoming new protections for Connecticut veterans and the agencies and organizations that serve them. "

"About 7,000 veterans are expected to return to Connecticut over the next two years-this is another example of the commitment the Governor and I have made to ensure they are treated fairly and are given every opportunity to succeed in their transition to civilian life," said Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman.

Public Act 12-195, passed last session by the General Assembly, makes it a class C misdemeanor to claim falsely to be a representative of any veterans' charitable organization and attempt to solicit donations or funds. The bill, which was signed into law by the Governor in June, joins several other pieces of legislation designed to protect veterans and veterans' organizations.

Public Act 12-38, AAC Desecration of War or Veterans' Memorials, makes it a crime to deface or remove a veterans or war memorial or monument. It also establishes penalties for anyone in possession of a stolen memorial.

Public Act 12-42, AAC Services for Veterans in Pretrial Diversionary Programs, expands participation in accelerated rehabilitation programs and extends eligibility for pretrial diversionary programs for veterans who are involved with the judicial system.

Public Act 12-90, AAC Custody Orders for Deployed Members of the Armed Forces and Confidential Communications Made to Members of the Armed Forces Who Are Victim Advocates or Sexual Assault Prevention Coordinators, establishes requirements and timeframes for child custody court orders for military parents who are mobilized or deployed. It also adds protections for the communications between military sexual assault prevention coordinators and victims, and addresses mandated reporting.

All of these Public Acts are in effect.

On Friday, Governor Malloy and Lt. Governor Wyman launched a new state website created to give military veterans one-stop access to the wide range of veterans' services and benefits offered by the state and federal government agencies. The website will link veterans and their families to other state and federal agencies offering services in areas such as employment and job training, health care and education.

Visit veterans.ct.gov for additional information.

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For Immediate Release: November 12, 2012

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy