Amends TCA Title 33; Title 50; Title 55, Chapter 50; Title 58, Chapter 3; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

This bill requires the department of veterans services to: (1) For the purpose of increasing veterans' access to jobs: (A) Establish, in conjunction with the department of economic and community development, programs to provide microloans and technical assistance to veteran owned businesses, including the use of revolving loan funds as provided by this bill; (B) Apply, in conjunction with the department of labor and workforce, smart labor force data to direct veterans to in-demand fields, including by identifying which in-demand job titles and credentials will leverage skills, experience, and credentials possessed by veterans; and (C) Expand, in conjunction with the department of labor and workforce development, proven and cost-effective training programs that leverage veterans' experiences by: reviewing apprentice, training, and other vocational programs focused on providing job training and placement to returning military servicemembers and veterans; and providing an annual report on the results of the review under this item (1)(C) to the general assembly and governor no later than January 1 of each year; (2) For the purpose of increasing veteran's access to college degrees, certificates, and licenses: (A) Ensure, in conjunction with the department of safety, veterans' military driving training and experience is recognized, including by taking steps to annually increase the number of veterans taking advantage of the federal motor carrier safety administration's military skills test waiver program as detailed by this bill. The department must ensure information on such program is accessible on the department's website, coordinate with military placement and training programs, and disseminate information on the program to veterans with relevant experience; (B) Review, in conjunction with the appropriate state health licensing boards and commissions, the licensing of emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, physician assistants, and nurses in this state and take steps to increase recognition of military training and experience toward in-state licensing. The department must make recommendations to the general assembly regarding any actions requiring legislation no later than February 1, 2022; (C) Review, in conjunction with the appropriate state professional and occupational licensing boards and commissions, the licensing for professions for which military members may have relevant training or experience and provide a report, by February 1, 2022, to the general assembly recommending steps that can be taken to increase recognition of military training and experience toward professional and occupational licensing in this state. The department must work to implement any steps identified in the report that can be taken without further legislation and provide an annual report to the general assembly on progress made and any updates to recommendations for legislation; and (D) Establish, in conjunction with the department of education, the Tennessee higher education commission, the board of regents, the board of trustees of the University of Tennessee, and the state board of education, a program to award college credit for related military experiences and training, by, among other things, granting academic credits to every veteran who enrolls as a student in good standing at an institution within the University of Tennessee or state university and community college system; (3) For the purpose of increasing veterans' access to health care, ensure all veterans can access the healthcare coverage and treatment they are eligible for based on their service, by, among other things, developing and operating veteran health navigator services to increase access to healthcare coverage and services; (4) For the purposes of preventing veteran suicide and increasing veterans' access to mental health services: (A) Ensure veterans and their families have access to mental health treatment, including treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, suicide, and suicidal ideation by, among other things, coordinating with local, state, and federal government agencies and consulting with the United States department of veterans affairs, nonprofit organizations, and service providers to develop and implement a strategy to reduce barriers to access to mental health services and treatment for veterans and their families; and (B) Connect veterans to trained mental healthcare providers, including those trained in veteran suicide prevention, including by creating a centralized provider database that identifies by region mental health providers who have the expertise and ability to assist veterans and their families and that highlights providers who have training or experience in the prevention and treatment of veteran suicide; and (5) For the purpose of ending veteran homelessness, set and achieve a goal of ending veteran homelessness in three years by: (A) Using criteria identified by the United States interagency council on homelessness to take steps to end veteran homelessness; and (B) Coordinating with local, state, and federal government agencies and nonprofit organizations, and in consultation with states and cities that have achieved an end to veteran homelessness in accordance with the criteria described in item (5)(A) above to develop and implement a strategy to meet the goal of ending veteran homelessness within three years, including through the use of a coordinated community outreach and a common assessment tool.