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HF2410 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Continued education benefits provided to surviving spouses who remarry.

Related bill: SF1930

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the bill is to amend Minnesota statutes to allow surviving spouses of deceased veterans to retain their eligibility for educational benefits, even if they choose to remarry. The bill also makes some administrative updates to streamline the process of determining eligibility for these educational benefits.

Main Provisions

  1. Continued Education Benefits for Surviving Spouses:

    • The bill ensures that surviving spouses of veterans who died due to their military service continue to be eligible for educational benefits, regardless of whether they remarry.

  2. Definitions and Eligibility:

    • It updates definitions related to eligibility and educational benefits to provide clear guidance on who qualifies. This includes clarifying terms for institutions and individuals involved, like the "eligible spouse" and "deceased veteran."

  3. Education Assistance Eligibility:

    • People eligible for assistance include veterans, certain members of the National Guard, surviving spouses, and children of veterans.
    • Requirements for satisfactory academic progress and Minnesota residency must be met.
    • It includes provisions for documentation required to prove eligibility and outlines an appeals process for denied applications.

  4. Administration and Appeals:

    • The bill provides a detailed procedure for applying for educational benefits and an appeals process for those who are denied eligibility.
    • Commissioners are given clear guidelines and a timeline to follow when evaluating applications and appeals, ensuring a transparent and timely process.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The bill amends existing statutes to allow for continued eligibility of educational benefits for remarried surviving spouses, a significant change from previous rules where benefits might have been forfeited upon remarriage.

Relevant Terms

  • Surviving spouse
  • Educational benefits
  • Deceased veteran
  • Remarriage
  • Eligibility
  • Minnesota residency
  • Veterans Affairs
  • National Guard
  • Appeals process

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 16, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toVeterans and Military Affairs Division
March 31, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Additional definitions related to surviving spouses and remarriage."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends the definition section for veterans' benefits, particularly concerning surviving spouses and remarriage.",
      "modified": [
        "Extended benefits to surviving spouses regardless of remarriage status."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "197.75",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Includes remarried surviving spouses of veterans who are eligible for federal educational benefits."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill updates eligibility criteria for educational assistance for veterans and their families.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies eligible family members for educational assistance based on service-related circumstances."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "197.791",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This reference is for defining Minnesota resident status necessary for educational assistance.",
      "modified": [
        "References to residency requirements tied to educational benefits."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "136A.101",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 8"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines satisfactory academic progress as it pertains to students receiving educational assistance.",
      "modified": [
        "Updated definitions aligned with educational progress standards."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "136A.101",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 10"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines the term 'student' within the context of receiving educational benefits.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the scope of who is considered a student for eligibility."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "136A.101",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 7"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines 'veteran' in the context of eligibility for veterans' benefits.",
      "modified": [
        "Standardized definition use across related sections."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "197.447",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The reference to child support payment compliance for receiving educational benefits.",
      "modified": [
        "Incorporates compliance requirements for child support as part of eligibility."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "136A.121",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Outlines termination of eligibility for educational benefits under certain conditions.",
      "modified": [
        "Describes conditions under which benefits eligibility is terminated."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "135A.52",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

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