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1996 SESSION

962107801
HOUSE BILL NO. 543
Offered January 18, 1996
A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.1-738 of the Code of Virginia, relating to claims to the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
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Patrons-- Drake, Bryant, Katzen, Landes, Nixon, Rollison, Sherwood, Tata, Weatherholtz and Wilkins; Senators: Hanger and Martin
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Referred to Committee on General Laws
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 2.1-738 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 2.1-738. General powers and duties of Director.

The Director shall establish, equip, and operate such offices as may be necessary or desirable to render assistance to veterans of the armed forces of the United States and their Virginia-domiciled surviving spouses, orphans, and dependents in matters of rehabilitation and in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of all lawful, plausible, well-grounded claims (those which are meritorious on their own or are capable of substantiation), by, or on behalf of, such veterans and their surviving spouses, orphans, and dependents, to obtain the benefit of their rights and privileges under various federal, state, and local laws enacted for their benefit. For these purposes the Director is authorized to employ such personnel as in his judgment may be necessary for the proper operation of such offices and for the proper discharge of the duties and functions of such Department.

Such offices shall be so located as to make the services of the Department conveniently available to such veterans and their surviving spouses, orphans, and dependents. Appropriate geographic areas of responsibility shall be assigned from time to time for each office. The various localities in each such area shall be visited by a representative attached to the office having responsibility for the area at such intervals as may be necessary or desirable.