TITLE VIII
PUBLIC DEFENSE AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS

Chapter 115-C
VETERANS' LEGAL AID ADVOCACY PROJECT

Section 115-C:1

    115-C:1 Purpose. – The purpose of this chapter is to address the unmet, dire civil legal needs of New Hampshire's veterans, and to advocate and safeguard veterans' benefits or preferences to which they may be entitled under any state or federal laws or regulations, particularly in the areas of housing, employment and unemployment, and veterans' disability and pension claims.

Source. 2010, 225:2, eff. July 1, 2010.

Section 115-C:2

    115-C:2 Eligibility. –
Persons eligible for services from the veterans' legal aid advocacy project shall:
I. Meet the definition of "veteran" as provided in RSA 21:50;
II. Be ordered to active duty resulting from action by Congress or the President, under any law, for an expansion of the active armed forces in accordance with 10 U.S.C. sections 12301, 12302, 12304, 12305, or successor statutes; or
III. Be discharged under other than dishonorable conditions, as long as the discharge was caused, in some way, by traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual trauma, a combat related injury or illness, or other traumatic injuries or illnesses.

Source. 2010, 225:2, eff. July 1, 2010.

Section 115-C:3

    115-C:3 Duties. –
I. The veterans' legal aid advocacy project shall work to improve the lives of New Hampshire veterans through legal aid advocacy on behalf of veterans in civil matters.
II. The state veterans council shall serve as the veterans intake coordinator for the veterans' legal aid advocacy project.
III. New Hampshire Legal Assistance shall provide legal representation to veterans in a manner consistent with the purpose outlined in RSA 115-C:1 and the New Hampshire Rules of Professional Conduct.
IV. The state veterans council and New Hampshire Legal Assistance shall do outreach with veterans' service organizations and homeless shelters to reach the veteran homeless population that may need legal aid advocacy services.
V. The state veterans council, New Hampshire Legal Assistance, and the pro bono section of the New Hampshire Bar Association shall coordinate with the veterans' service organizations, the New Hampshire National Guard, and other veterans' service providers, in the efficient provision of veterans' legal aid advocacy services. The state veterans council and New Hampshire Legal Assistance shall create general guidelines on case acceptance and priorities, reviewing those guidelines and priorities every 2 years.
VI. The state veterans council, New Hampshire Legal Assistance, and the Pro Bono Section of the New Hampshire Bar Association shall work to increase the number of private attorneys for referrals of veterans' cases, including, but not limited to, veterans' family law cases.
VII. The state veterans council, New Hampshire Legal Assistance, and the Pro Bono Section of the New Hampshire Bar Association shall work to provide information sessions and legal advice for veterans and their families.
VIII. The veterans' legal aid advocacy project shall provide legal aid training to veterans' advocates.
IX. The veterans' legal aid advocacy project shall report annually to the governor, the general court, and the state veterans council on the number of veterans served, the results, and the number of veterans that could not be served.

Source. 2010, 225:2, eff. July 1, 2010.

Section 115-C:4

    115-C:4 Funding. – Funding for the veterans' legal advocacy project established by this chapter shall be contingent upon the receipt of grants or federal funds for such purpose. The veterans' legal advocacy project shall report on the availability and acquisition of federal appropriations and grants to the governor and the general court.

Source. 2010, 225:2, eff. July 1, 2010.