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7/5/2018
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General Assembly passes Rep. Vella-Wilkinson’s legislation relating to veterans
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STATE HOUSE — The General Assembly has given approval to two bills introduced by Rep. Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson (D-Dist. 21, Warwick) related to military veterans.
The first bill (2018-H 7235A), which was signed into law by Gov. Gina Raimondo, directs the Department of Education to utilize the federal Troops to Teachers program, and further provides that the implementation of the program would be contingent on federal funding.
“Veterans represent a large segment of the population whose skills, experience and dedication should be utilized to educate our youth,” said Representative Vella-Wilkinson, a retired naval officer. “If we don’t take advantage of all that veterans have to offer, then we’re just wasting a tremendous national resource. This is a program that can reduce veteran unemployment, improve education, and provide much needed diversity among the faculties in today’s classrooms.”
Troops to Teachers was established in 1993 to assist transitioning service members and veterans in beginning new careers as K-12 school teachers in public, charter, and Bureau of Indian Affairs schools. The program provides counseling and referral services for participants to help them meet education and licensing requirements to teach and subsequently helps them secure a teaching position. Since 1993, more than 20,000 veterans have successfully transitioned to a career in education.
The program is overseen by the United States Department of Defense and managed by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support.
The second measure (2018-H 8338), the Military Property Tax Exemption bill, eliminates the requirement for a veteran to have achieved a Campaign Ribbon or Expeditionary Medal to qualify for state veterans benefits.
“This is especially important because to receive a Campaign Ribbon, the military member had to serve either 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in theater,” said Representative Vella-Wilkinson. “The numbers seem rather arbitrary, and restricted quite a number of men and women from applying for property tax exemptions from their municipality. Furthermore, over the years I have been approached by numerous veterans who honorably served but were not considered a ‘veteran’ because they were excluded from certain benefits.”
The measure now heads to the governor’s office.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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