Purpose

Establishes a veteran mentorship program for Black youth. The goal is to prevent youth violence by employing veterans who will mentor Black youth and help them explore career opportunities in the armed forces.

Main Provisions

• The commissioner of veterans affairs must award a grant to an organization to develop, operate, and administer the veteran mentorship program for Black youth.
• The program aims to prevent youth violence and support Black youth in exploring careers in the armed forces through veteran mentors.
• The program is funded by a general fund appropriation to the commissioner of veterans affairs.

Funding and Allocation

• Amount: 5,000,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2026 for grants to the organization that will develop, operate, and administer the program. This is a one-time appropriation.
• Breakdown:
  • 1,000,000 for youth engagement activities
  • 1,500,000 for salaries to employ veterans as mentors
  • 2,000,000 for community outreach and education for Black youth
  • 500,000 to administer and operate the program

Administration and Oversight

• The commissioner of veterans affairs is responsible for awarding the grant and overseeing the organization that carries out the program.
• The organization must develop, operate, and administer the mentorship program, with the funded activities carried out as described.

Significance and Changes to Law

• Creates a new, targeted program and provides a one-time funding mechanism within the veterans affairs framework.
• No ongoing funding beyond the specified one-time appropriation is described; the bill establishes both the program and the initial funding structure.

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