ATLANTA (May 10, 2013) –Senator Lester Jackson (D-Savannah) recently joined Governor Nathan Deal as he signed Senate Bill 76 into law. The legislation will create the Returning Veterans Task Force within the State Department of Veterans Services.
“I commend Gov. Deal for recognizing this importance of this piece of legislation,” said Sen. Jackson. “The men and women who selflessly serve our country deserve every resource our state has available when re-entering civilian life. This bill is about ensuring the fair and just treatment of our veterans when they return home. I applaud my colleagues in the General Assembly for joining me in supporting this essential measure.”
The task force will meet at least quarterly to investigate how state services can be provided to veterans returning from military service in order to assist them in integrating into society. The task force will issue recommendations to each relevant state agency with improvements for the delivery of services to returning veterans. By November 1 of each year, the task force will transmit specific suggestions for legislation designed to assist returning veterans to the General Assembly and the Governor. This bi-partisan measure passed unanimously out of committee.
SB 76 will now go into effect on July 1, 2013.
Sen. Jackson, a longtime advocate of veteran affairs, has also championed such issues as healthcare expansion, education, and the deepening of the Savannah Harbor.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
May 10, 2013
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Adam Sweat, Communications Specialist
Adam.Sweat@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028