Daniels recognizes Baird's legislation for military famlily relief

Rep. Jim Baird (L-Greencastle), right, and Rep. Bruce Borders (R-Jasonville) flank Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels at the ceremonial signing of the military bills Tuesday at the Statehouse. They are joined by a group of military veterans.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Military Family Relief Fund legislation, authored by Rep. Jim Baird (R-Greencastle), was recognized Tuesday afternoon by Gov. Mitch Daniels in a ceremonial bill signing at the Statehouse.

"I am grateful the Military Family Relief Fund was recognized today," District 44 Rep. Baird said.

"When active military return to their families, it may take longer than a year to adjust to life at home. The new law will provide a larger window of time for our active military to apply for extra funding. This legislation allows that cushion of adjustment time."

The Military Family Relief Fund legislation, House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1059, extends the application deadline for grants from the Military Family Relief Fund from one year to three years.

The grant is available for a service member or a service member's dependent and is funded through sales of Hoosier Veteran license plates, POW-MIA license plates and Support Our Troops license plates.

The grant is worth up to $5,000 per year through the fund. Because the end date for receiving benefits is extended from one year to three years under the new law, the grants will still be up to $5,000 per year, but military members and their families could receive up to $15,000 if they receive the grant for three years.

Two other pieces of pro-military legislation were also recognized as well Tuesday.

HEA 1065 allows a parent who has received military deployment orders to delegate their parenting time to a person who has a close relationship with their child if the court determines that it is in the child's best interest. HEA 1116 requires state educational institutions to award educational credit to members of the military who are enrolled in a state educational institution and successfully complete specified courses that are related to their military duties while serving in the armed forces.

"These new laws represent Indiana's commitment to the military community and their families," said Rep. Baird, himself a Vietnam War veteran. "This is solidified by Gov. Daniels taking the time to recognize the various military organizations that helped develop these important policies."