Ind. Code ch. 10-17-1

Ind. Code ch. 10-17-1
in effect

Ind. Code § 10-17-1-0.1 Application of certain amendments to chapter

Sec. 0.1. The amendments made to sections 5 and 9 of this chapter and the addition of section 11 of this chapter by P.L.144-2007 apply to employees who begin employment with the Indiana department of veterans' affairs or a county or a city under section 9 of this chapter as amended by P.L.144-2007, as applicable, after June 30, 2007. As added by P.L.220-2011, SEC.238.

Ind. Code § 10-17-1-1 Purpose of chapter

Sec. 1. The purpose of this chapter is to create a department with full authority to aid and assist veterans of the armed forces of the United States entitled to benefits or advantages provided on or after March 3, 1945, by the United States, the state, or another state or government. [Pre-2003 Recodification Citation: 10-5-1-1.] As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 10-17-1-1.5 "Commission"

Sec. 1.5. As used in this chapter, "commission" refers to the Indiana veterans' affairs commission established by IC 10-17-13-4. As added by P.L.113-2010, SEC.72.

Ind. Code § 10-17-1-2 Establishment of department

Sec. 2. (a) The Indiana department of veterans' affairs is established. (b) The domicile of the department shall be in Indianapolis. Suitable offices and quarters shall be provided in Indianapolis. [Pre-2003 Recodification Citation: 10-5-1-3.] As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.73; P.L.203-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 10-17-1-2.5 Mission to provide veteran assistance

Sec. 2.5. The: (1) department; (2) commission; (3) director; (4) county and city service officers; and (5) assistants and employees of persons described in subdivisions (1) through (4); may act at the request of any veteran of the armed forces or a veteran's spouse, surviving spouse, or dependent as necessary to obtain or attempt to obtain for the person making the request any advantage, benefit, or compensation accruing, due, or believed to be accruing or due to the person under any law of the United States, the state, or any other state or government by reason of the service of the veteran in the armed forces of the United States. As added by P.L.203-2025, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 10-17-1-3 Repealed

[Pre-2003 Recodification Citation: 10-5-1-5.] As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8. Repealed by P.L.113-2010, SEC.170.

Ind. Code § 10-17-1-4 Powers of commission; reporting

Sec. 4. The commission shall do acts necessary or reasonably incident to the fulfillment of the purposes of this chapter, including the following: (1) Adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to administer this chapter. (2) Advise the veterans' state service officer in problems concerning the welfare of veterans. (3) Determine general administrative policies within the department. (4) Supervise the department. (5) Not later than January 1, 2026, establish standards for accreditation under section 10 of this chapter for state, county, and city service officers. (6) Establish procedures to identify and address noncompliance with accreditation standards consistent with the requirements set forth in section 10 of this chapter. (7) Submit, not later than December 31 of each year, an annual report to the legislative council in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 and to the governor concerning the welfare of veterans. [Pre-2003 Recodification Citation: 10-5-1-6.] As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.169-2013, SEC.2; P.L.99-2016, SEC.4; P.L.108-2016, SEC.1; P.L.42-2020, SEC.1; P.L.203-2025, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 10-17-1-4.5 Unclaimed remains of veterans; standards for approval of veterans' service organizations; duties; immunity

Sec. 4.5. (a) The definitions under IC 23-14-54.5-2 through IC 23-14-54.5-6 apply to this section. (b) As used in this section, "cremated remains" has the meaning set forth in IC 23-14-31-7. (c) A veterans' service organization may apply to the department for approval to receive the following from a licensed funeral director under IC 23-14-54.5: (1) Verification information. (2) Cremated remains of a veteran or dependent of a veteran. (d) The department shall establish standards that a veterans' service organization must meet to receive approval by the department under this section, including: (1) an application for approval; (2) the information that a veterans' service organization is required to submit to the department; and (3) criteria and standards for approval. (e) If a veterans' service organization meets the standards established by the department under subsection (d), the department shall approve the veterans' service organization for eligibility to receive verification information and cremated remains under IC 23-14-54.5. (f) The department shall: (1) maintain a list, with names and contact information, of veterans' service organizations that have been approved under subsection (e); and (2) publish the list on the department's website. (g) The department shall prepare and provide, upon request, sample forms for transfer of cremated remains and release of liability between a funeral director and an approved veterans' service organization. As added by P.L.90-2016, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.1-2025, SEC.147.

Ind. Code § 10-17-1-5 Director of veterans' affairs

Sec. 5. (a) The position of director of veterans' affairs is established. The governor shall appoint the director for a four (4) year term. However, the term of office of the director terminates when the term of office of the governor terminates or when a successor to the director is appointed and qualified. The director must be: (1) an honorably discharged veteran who has at least six (6) months active service in the armed forces of the United States; and (2) a citizen of Indiana and a resident of Indiana for at least two (2) cumulative years preceding the director's appointment. (b) The director is entitled to reimbursement for necessary traveling and other expenses. (c) The governor may remove the director if the governor considers the director guilty of misconduct, incapability, or neglect of duty. (d) The governor shall appoint an assistant director of veterans' affairs. The assistant director is entitled to receive reimbursement for necessary traveling and other expenses. The assistant director has the same qualifications as the director of veterans' affairs and shall assist the director in carrying out this chapter. [Pre-2003 Recodification Citation: 10-5-1-7.] As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.144-2007, SEC.6; P.L.42-2020, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 10-17-1-6 Duties of director

Sec. 6. (a) The director of veterans' affairs: (1) is the executive and administrative head of the Indiana department of veterans' affairs; and (2) shall direct and supervise the administrative and technical activities of the department; subject to the general supervision of the commission. (b) The duties of the director include the following: (1) To attend all meetings of the commission and to act as secretary and keep minutes of the commission's proceedings. (2) To appoint the employees of the department necessary to carry out this chapter and to fix the compensation of the employees. Employees of the department must qualify for the job concerned. (3) To carry out the program for veterans' affairs as directed by the governor and the commission. (4) To carry out the administrative functions concerning accreditation standards established in sections 4 and 10 of this chapter. (5) To prepare and conduct service officer training schools with the voluntary aid and assistance of the service staffs of the major veterans' organizations. (6) To maintain an information bulletin service to county and city service officers for the necessary dissemination of material pertaining to all phases of veterans' rehabilitation and service work, including information necessary to inform veterans of the provisions of IC 22-9-10. (7) To conduct, or select a designee to conduct, biannual public meetings with the executive of each county to provide necessary information regarding outstanding claims and answer questions from veterans. The biannual meetings are subject to the notice requirements in IC 5-3-1. (8) To perform the duties described in IC 10-17-11 for the Indiana state veterans' cemetery. (9) To perform the duties described in IC 10-17-12 for the military family relief fund. (10) To establish a program and set guidelines under which a medal of honor recipient may receive compensation when attending and participating in official ceremonies. [Pre-2003 Recodification Citation: 10-5-1-8.] As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.58-2006, SEC.7; P.L.144-2007, SEC.7; P.L.100-2012, SEC.25; P.L.136-2014, SEC.1; P.L.42-2020, SEC.3; P.L.203-2025, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 10-17-1-7 Powers of attorney

Sec. 7. (a) A power of attorney authorizing action on behalf of a veteran in obtaining a benefit or an advantage for a veteran provided under Indiana law must run to an authorized agency or individual recognized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (b) A rule contrary to this section is void. [Pre-2003 Recodification Citation: 10-5-1-9.] As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.144-2007, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 10-17-1-8 Commission contracts with the United States

Sec. 8. The commission may adopt rules necessary to: (1) obtain benefits under present and future enactments of the Congress of the United States concerning veterans' affairs; and (2) enter into on behalf of the state contracts or agreements with the government of the United States to receive benefits under present and future federal enactments concerning veterans' aid and benefits. A contract or agreement entered into under subdivision (2) must first be approved by the governor and attorney general. [Pre-2003 Recodification Citation: 10-5-1-10.] As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 10-17-1-9 County service officer, city service officer, and assistants

Sec. 9. (a) Subject to subsection (h), a county executive shall employ a service officer and may employ service officer assistants to serve the veterans of the county. However, with the approval of the commission, two (2) or more counties may enter into an agreement to employ a service officer if each county demonstrates to the commission that the workload does not justify each county employing a separate county service officer. (b) Subject to subsection (h), the mayor of a city may employ a service officer and may employ service officer assistants to serve the veterans of the city. (c) The service officer shall: (1) be: (A) a veteran who received a discharge from military service under conditions other than conditions set forth in IC 10-17-12-8.1(2) and who has at least six (6) months of active service in the armed forces of the United States; or (B) a service officer assistant with not less than two (2) years of experience; and (2) be a resident of Indiana or become a resident of Indiana not more than six (6) months after the service officer's start date. (d) A service officer assistant must be a resident of Indiana or become a resident of Indiana not later than six (6) months after the service officer assistant's start date and: (1) satisfy the requirements specified in subsection (c)(1); or (2) be the spouse, surviving spouse, parent, or child of a person who satisfies the requirements specified in subsection (c)(1). (e) A rule contrary to subsection (c) or (d) is void. (f) County and city fiscal bodies may appropriate funds necessary for the purposes described in this section. (g) Every county or city official and department of the county or city shall cooperate with the service officer and shall provide the service officer with information necessary in connection with the performance of the service officer's duties. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require a county or city to share information that is otherwise considered confidential in accordance with law. (h) After June 30, 2026, a service officer must be accredited by the department in order to provide service to veterans on behalf of the county or city. [Pre-2003 Recodification Citation: 10-5-1-11.] As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.144-2007, SEC.9; P.L.105-2014, SEC.1; P.L.108-2016, SEC.2; P.L.42-2020, SEC.4; P.L.203-2025, SEC.5; P.L.238-2025, SEC.23; P.L.94-2026, SEC.42.

Ind. Code § 10-17-1-10 Service officer training and accreditation

Sec. 10. (a) Within thirty (30) days of their employment, new county or city service officers must attend a new service officer orientation presented by the department to assist veterans and their dependents and survivors. The curriculum for the new service officer orientation shall be set forth by the commission in accordance with section 4 of this chapter. (b) An individual employed as a state, county, or city service officer under this chapter is required to become accredited by the department not later than six (6) months from the date of the individual's employment. (c) Annually, all state, county, or city service officers shall undergo a course of training to adequately address problems of discharged veterans in the service officer's county, or city, including a thorough familiarization with laws, rules, and regulations of the federal government and the state that affect benefits to which the veterans and dependents of the veterans are entitled. After a service officer has undergone this sustainment training and successfully passed a written test, the service officer shall be reaccredited to assist veterans for the following year. (d) Not later than January 1, 2026, the standards for accreditation approved by the commission must include: (1) receipt of a federal personal identification verification (PIV) card; (2) standards of performance and key performance indicators which may include: (A) the number of veterans assisted; (B) the types of benefit claims filed and the success rates for those claims; (C) outreach initiatives conducted; or (D) any other standard or indicator required by the commission; (3) minimum training requirements; (4) testing requirements; and (5) periodic service officer reporting requirements. (e) The commission shall also develop protocols for revoking a service officer's accreditation in the event the service officer is not compliant with the requirements established in subsection (d). [Pre-2003 Recodification Citation: 10-5-1-12.] As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.169-2013, SEC.3; P.L.99-2016, SEC.5; P.L.42-2020, SEC.5; P.L.203-2025, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 10-17-1-11 Employment requirements

Sec. 11. (a) The following employees of the Indiana department of veterans' affairs must satisfy the requirements set forth in section 5(a) of this chapter: (1) State service officers. (2) Director of the state approving agency. (3) Director of the Indiana state veterans' cemetery established by IC 10-17-11-4. (b) An employee of the Indiana department of veterans' affairs not described in subsection (a) must be an Indiana resident who: (1) received an honorable discharge from the armed forces of the United States or the national guard (as defined in IC 5-9-4-4); or (2) is the spouse, surviving spouse, parent, or child of a person who satisfies the requirements set forth in subdivision (1). As added by P.L.144-2007, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.61-2023, SEC.1; P.L.94-2026, SEC.43.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/10Fetched: 10/17/2026