Tennessee § 58-7-101 - Establishment — Purpose — Funding requirements.

§ 58-7-101. Establishment — Purpose — Funding requirements.

There shall be public homes for veterans in Tennessee known as “Tennessee state veterans' homes.” The primary purpose of the homes shall be to provide support and care for honorably discharged veterans who served in the United States armed forces. These homes shall be established and operated only if federal veterans' administration funds are available to meet a substantial part of any construction costs incurred in the establishment of such homes. Additionally, each state veterans' home established pursuant to this chapter must be eligible for and receive the veterans' administration per diem payments available to qualified residents in accordance with applicable federal regulations. Acts 1988, ch. 899, § 1. Law Reviews. Suddenly Discharged the Combat Continues: Eliminating the Legal Services Gap to Ensure Veterans' Success After Leaving Military Service, 45 U. Mem. L. Rev. 837 (2015). The Credibility Trap: Notes on a VA Evidentiary Standard, 45 U. Mem. L. Rev. 887 (2015). Attorney General Opinions. Under Tennessee state law, the Tennessee State Veterans' Homes (TSVH) may not admit veterans who received a general discharge under honorable conditions. TSVH is required to provide support and care for honorably discharged veterans who served in the United States armed forces. An “honorable discharge” from the United States armed forces is separate and distinct from “a general discharge under honorable conditions.” Furthermore, federal law does not preempt the eligibility requirements imposed by the state. To the contrary, federal law contemplates that each State will establish eligibility and admission criteria for its state veterans' homes. OAG 20-13, 2020 Tenn. AG LEXIS 17 (6/12/2020).