HF3911 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Former officers of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration authorized to reside in state veterans homes.
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- Expand who qualifies as a veteran in Minnesota’s veterans homes to include certain former officers of the Public Health Service (PHS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), so they can reside in state veterans homes and receive nursing care and related health and social services if they meet eligibility requirements.
Main Provisions
- Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 198.01 to redefine or broaden the term “veteran” for veterans home eligibility.
- Keeps the existing general veteran definition (a person who qualifies as a veteran under Minnesota law).
- Adds specific federal categories:
- Public Health Service commissioned officers who served on active duty and were separated under honorable conditions after:
- at least 181 consecutive days of active duty, or
- due to a service-related disability,
- or who have met the minimum active-duty requirement in federal rules (Code of Federal Regulations, title 38, section 3.12a).
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration commissioned officers who served on active duty under the same conditions (181 days, disability, or minimum active-duty requirement per CFR 38 §3.12a).
- References to federal law include:
- US Code, Title 38, sections 101.21B (PHS) and 101.21C (NOAA),
- CFR Title 38, section 3.12a.
- States that Minnesota veterans homes provide nursing care and related health and social services to veterans and their spouses who meet eligibility and admission requirements.
- Preserves a provision about the state commissioner not closing a veterans home except when specifically authorized or required by law enacted after July 1, 2015.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Officially includes former PHS and NOAA officers who meet active-duty criteria as eligible veterans for Minnesota veterans homes.
- Aligns state eligibility with certain federal definitions to allow these groups to access housing and care in state veterans homes.
- Keeps existing protections for veterans homes (e.g.,Regarding closures) intact.
Eligibility and Residency Implications
- Spouses of eligible veterans may also qualify for admission if they meet the eligibility and admission requirements.
- Eligibility hinges on meeting the active-duty criteria, honorable separation, or disability criteria described in federal law.
Implementation Considerations
- Administrative changes likely needed to verify:
- active-duty status for PHS/NOAA officers,
- honorable separation or disability status,
- alignment with CFR 38 §3.12a and the referenced U.S. Code sections.
- Intake and documentation processes will need to reflect the expanded definitions to determine admission eligibility.
Relevant Terms - veteran, Minnesota veterans homes, nursing care, eligibility, admission requirements - Public Health Service (PHS), NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) - commissioned officer, active duty, 181 consecutive days - honorable termination, disability, United States Code (USC) Title 38 - CFR Title 38, section 3.12a - US Code Title 38 §101.21B, §101.21C - spouses, eligibility for residency - commissioner (state official responsible for veterans homes)
Relevant Terms
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 02, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Veterans and Military Affairs Division | |
| March 05, 2026 | House | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration commissioned officers to the definition of 'veteran' for purposes of veterans homes eligibility.",
"References federal active-duty criteria from 38 U.S.C. § 101.21B, 38 U.S.C. § 101.21C, and Code of Federal Regulations Title 38 § 3.12a to define eligibility."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 198.01 to expand 'veteran' eligibility for Minnesota veterans homes to include commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, aligning with federal active-duty criteria.",
"modified": [
"Section 198.01 is amended to implement expanded eligibility criteria for veterans homes."
]
},
"citation": "198.01",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references Minnesota Statutes 197.447 in defining who qualifies as a veteran, for purposes of veterans homes eligibility.",
"modified": [
"Uses existing §197.447 to inform the definition of 'veteran' within the veterans homes eligibility provision."
]
},
"citation": "197.447",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"References 38 U.S.C. § 101.21B to define eligibility for PHS commissioned officers."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Incorporates federal active-duty service criteria for Public Health Service officers in determining veteran status under Minnesota law.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "38 U.S.C. § 101.21B",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"References 38 U.S.C. § 101.21C to define eligibility for NOAA commissioned officers."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Incorporates federal active-duty service criteria for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officers in determining veteran status under Minnesota law.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "38 U.S.C. § 101.21C",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"References 38 C.F.R. § 3.12a to establish minimum active-duty requirements (e.g., 181 days or disability) for eligibility."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Uses federal minimum active-duty requirements from 38 C.F.R. § 3.12a to define veteran eligibility for certain service members.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "38 C.F.R. § 3.12a",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee