Act No. 217

Public Acts of 2016

Approved by the Governor

June 21, 2016

Filed with the Secretary of State

June 22, 2016

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 20, 2016

STATE OF MICHIGAN

98TH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2016

Introduced by Rep. Howell

ENROLLED HOUSE BILL No. 5549

AN ACT to amend 1946 (1st Ex Sess) PA 9, entitled “An act to create the Michigan veterans’ trust fund, and to define who shall be eligible to receive assistance therefrom; to provide for the disbursement of the income thereof and surplus therein; to create a board of trustees, and to prescribe its powers and duties; to provide for county and district committees, and their powers, duties, and expenses; to prescribe penalties; and to make appropriations to carry out the provisions of this act,” by amending section 2 (MCL 35.602).

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

Sec. 2. As used in this act, “veteran” means an individual who meets all of the following:

(a) Is a veteran as defined in section 1 of 1965 PA 190, MCL 35.61.

(b) Is a legal resident of this state or was a legal resident of this state immediately prior to entering the United States Armed Forces. However, an individual whose legal residence was in this state prior to entering the United States Armed Forces does not meet the requirement of this subdivision if he or she leaves this state for a period of time exceeding 2 years.

(c) He or she served in active service in the United States Armed Forces during a period of war for at least 180 days and was honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces. However, an individual who separated from the United States Armed Forces for reason of physical or mental disability incurred in the line of duty prior to the completion of 180 days’ service is considered to meet the requirement of this subdivision. As used in this subdivision, “period of war” means that phrase as described in 38 CFR 3.2, except that for purposes of this subdivision, “period of war” for the Vietnam era means the following:

(i) February 28, 1961 through May 7, 1975 for a veteran who served during that period.

(ii) On or after January 31, 1955 in an area of hazardous duty for which the veteran received an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or Vietnam Service Medal.

Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days after the date it is enacted into law.

Enacting section 2. This amendatory act does not take effect unless House Bill No. 5332 of the 98th Legislature is enacted into law.

This act is ordered to take immediate effect.

Clerk of the House of Representatives

Secretary of the Senate

Approved

Governor