Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act; SAVES Act
Summary
The Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act (SAVES Act) aims to establish a pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants to nonprofit organizations. These grants will support programs that provide service dogs to eligible veterans. The bill also extends certain limits on pension payments.
The pilot program requires the VA Secretary to award grants on a competitive basis to nonprofit entities. These entities must demonstrate experience in training service dogs and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Furthermore, the bill authorizes appropriations of $10,000,000 annually from 2027 through 2031 to carry out the service dog program. It also extends pension payment limits under title 38, United States Code.
Expected Effects
The SAVES Act will increase the availability of service dogs for veterans with disabilities by providing funding to nonprofit organizations that train and provide these dogs. This will likely improve the quality of life for participating veterans, enabling greater independence and potentially reducing reliance on other forms of support. The extension of pension payment limits offers continued financial stability for some veterans.
Nonprofit organizations will receive financial assistance to expand their programs, train more dogs, and reach more veterans. The VA will be responsible for establishing oversight and monitoring requirements to ensure appropriate use of grant funds.
Veterans who receive service dogs through this program may also benefit from veterinary insurance policies provided by the Secretary, further reducing the financial burden of caring for a service animal.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to service dogs for eligible veterans, improving their independence and quality of life.
- Financial support for nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs, allowing them to expand their programs.
- Potential provision of veterinary insurance for service dogs, reducing the financial burden on veterans.
- Improved mental and physical health outcomes for veterans with disabilities through the assistance of service dogs.
- Promotion of humane treatment standards for service dogs through grant requirements.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential administrative burden for the VA in establishing and managing the grant program.
- Risk of misuse of grant funds by nonprofit organizations, requiring careful oversight and monitoring.
- Limited scope of the pilot program, potentially leaving some eligible veterans without access to service dogs.
- Dependence on continued appropriations to sustain the program beyond the initial authorization period.
- Possible delays in implementation due to the requirement to establish the pilot program within 24 months of enactment.
Constitutional Alignment
The SAVES Act appears to align with the constitutional mandate to "provide for the common defence" and "promote the general Welfare" (Preamble). By supporting veterans and improving their quality of life, the act fulfills a governmental responsibility to those who have served the nation. The act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Congress has the power to spend money as provided in Article I, Section 8, Clause 1: "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States". The appropriations authorized by this bill fall under this power.
There are no apparent conflicts with the Bill of Rights or other constitutional amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).