KRS 40.310: Duties of Department of Veterans' Affairs.

(1) The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall collect all necessary data and information

regarding facilities and services available to veterans, their families, and

dependents, and shall cooperate with all information or service agencies throughout

the state in informing such persons regarding the existence or availability of all

educational, training, and retraining facilities; health, medical, rehabilitation, and

housing services and facilities; employment and reemployment services; provisions

of federal, st ate, and local laws affording rights, privileges, and benefits to said

persons, their families, and dependents, and all other matters of similar related or

appropriate nature. It shall likewise be the duty of the department to assist veterans

and their fam ilies and dependents in the presentation, proof, and establishment of

all claims, privileges, rights, and other benefits which they may have under federal,

state, or local laws, and to cooperate with all national, state, and local government

and private agencies securing services or any benefits to veterans, their families, and

dependents.

(2) The commissioner of the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall prepare and submit

to the Governor and each member of the board an annual report with reference to

claims presented on behalf of veterans and to otherwise report the activities and

accomplishments of the department.

(3) The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall be authorized to apply for and accept

gifts, grants, and other contributions from the federal government, or from any other

governmental unit which funds shall be administered by the department through use

of trust and agency accounts.

(4) Veterans, as used in KRS 40.305 to 40.310 include any individual who served on

active duty during peace or war in the Armed Forces of the United States, and who

has received an honorable discharge from such service.

(5) The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall maintain full, adequate, and complete

copies of all records pertaining to claims of veterans who file said c laims for

benefits through the department.

(6) The commissioner of the Department of Veterans' Affairs may purchase liability

insurance for the protection of employees of the Department of Veterans' Affairs to

protect them from liability for acts, omission s, and claims arising in the course and

scope of their employment or service to the department.

(7) The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall manage the veterans' program trust fund

established by KRS 40.460 by hosting all board meetings, providing logisti cal

support, recording the minutes of each meeting, and authorizing expenditures once

the board has approved a request for funds.