INDIANA — A major shift in how Indiana supports its veteran population is underway as counties prepare to comply with Indiana Code 10-17-1-9 (established via Senate Enrolled Act 433). The new law mandates a standardized, statewide accreditation process for all County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs), ensuring that the quality of benefits assistance is consistent.
Kevin Hinton of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs office updated the commissioners on those changes Tuesday morning.
Under the updated code, Indiana becomes the first state in the nation to implement such a comprehensive, mandatory accreditation program for individuals serving veterans and their families.
The legislation introduces several strict requirements that county executives and service officers must follow:
- Mandatory Employment: Every county executive is required to employ at least one service officer to serve the veterans of that county.
- Joint County Agreements: Two or more counties may enter into an agreement to share a single service officer, provided they can demonstrate to the Indiana Veterans Affairs Commission that their combined workload does not justify separate officers.
- Inter-Departmental Cooperation: Every county official and department is now legally required to cooperate with their local service officer, providing the information necessary for them to perform their duties.
- Public Accountability: Each county must hold a public meeting twice a year to ensure transparency, provide progress updates, and answer questions from the veteran community.
Critical Deadlines
The law establishes a firm timeline for the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) and local governments to achieve full compliance:
- January 1, 2026: Deadline for the Veterans Affairs Commission to establish the formal standards for the state accreditation program.
- June 30, 2026: The “hard deadline” for all CVSOs. After this date, an officer must be state-accredited to provide services on behalf of their county or city.
- Ongoing Hires: New service officers hired after these dates have a six-month window from their date of employment to obtain their state accreditation.
Prior to this law, training and accreditation varied significantly across Indiana’s 92 counties. The new code requires CVSOs to undergo annual sustainment training and pass a written examination to maintain their accreditation.
“This groundbreaking legislation serves as a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment,” stated IDVA Director Jake Adams. “Standardized training and credentialing will not only expedite claims processing but also enhance access to care and ensure accountability within the system”.
Failure to meet these standards will lead to a revocation of accreditation, effectively barring the individual from serving as a CVSO until they return to compliance.
