SECTION 69K. Patients eligible for federal veterans' benefits

The commissioner shall identify patients at institutions subject to the control of the department who are eligible for federal veterans' benefits and shall take such steps necessary to assist said patients in collecting said benefits. Said commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to identify such patients at such institutions who are eligible for federal veterans' benefits and to collect said benefits. Said commissioner shall report to the clerks of the house and senate on or before January first of each year, the number of patients which have been identified as eligible for veterans' benefits, the amount of said benefits which have been collected by the commonwealth under the provisions of this section, and the cost to the commonwealth of collecting said benefits.