HCS HB 1552 -- HOMELESS VETERANS

SPONSOR:  Jackson (Brown, 50)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Veterans by a vote of 11 to 0.

This substitute allows a homeless veteran to use the post office
box or voice mail address of certain charitable or religious
organization on applications for federal or state assistance, as
long as the organization is willing to provide an address to the
homeless veteran for his or her use.  Only organizations that
have been providing legitimate services for 10 or more years are
eligible to provide these services.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that veterans often qualify for some
federal benefits; but in order to apply for them, they must have
an address.  There are a large number of homeless veterans in
Kansas City.  When they apply for benefits, they are turned down
because they don't have an address.  Organizations like the
Salvation Army provide temporary housing for homeless veterans
and could also provide a post office box address so that the
veteran could access his or her benefits.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Brown (50) and
Avery; and Pat Kerr, Support Your Troops.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Alice Hurley, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:43 am