HOUSE BILL 207
51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013
INTRODUCED BY
Sandra D. Jeff
AN ACT
RELATING TO VETERANS' SERVICES; CREATING A NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS DIVISION WITHIN THE VETERANS' SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. Section 9-22-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2004, Chapter 19, Section 4) is amended to read:
"9-22-4. DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED.--The "veterans' services department" is created in the executive branch. The department is a cabinet department and includes the following divisions:
A. the administrative services division;
B. the field services division;
C. the state approving division; [and]
D. the state benefits division; and
E. the Native American veterans division."
SECTION 2. A new section of the Veterans' Services Department Act is enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS DIVISION.--The Native American veterans division shall:
A. conduct outreach to Native American veterans and Native American veterans organizations;
B. act as a liaison between Native American veterans and Native American veterans organizations and the department, the state and the federal government; and
C. assist Native American veterans to organize and advocate for benefits and services unique to Native Americans."
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