Recent Military and Veteran-Related Legislation in North Carolina

We thought we’d take a moment to note a few recent legislative items involving military members and veterans in North Carolina. House Bill 584, which is currently in the House, seeks to allow post-traumatic stress disorder to be taken into consideration by courts when a veteran is being sentenced: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2021/h584. The bill states that if a veteran has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in connection with his or her military service and is undergoing professional treatment, this condition can be a mitigating factor in sentencing.

There are also a number of bills aimed at providing tax relief to veterans and military retirees. HB 83, Eliminate Income Tax for Military Retirees (https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2021/H83) and S12, Military Retiree State Income Tax Relief (https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2021/S12).

Finally, Governor Cooper signed House Bill 138 into law last week, which recognizes April 24 as Wounded Heroes Day in North Carolina. It is in honor of retired Sgt. Michael Verardo, who was catastrophically wounded in Afghanistan while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division in 2010.

Thank you, and hope you’re well!