(A) The secretary shall appoint an additional claims representative within the department, who, in addition to being charged with the duty of assisting all veterans, regardless of the wars in which their service may have been rendered, in filing, presenting, and prosecuting to final determination all claims which they have for money compensation, hospitalization, training, and insurance benefits under the terms of federal legislation, shall also specialize in the specific needs and diseases associated with veterans of the Vietnam era. The person appointed as a claims representative under this section must be versed in federal legislation relating to these matters and the rules, regulations, and practice of the Veterans Administration as created by Congress.

(B) Subject to the direction of the secretary, and in addition to other duties prescribed in this section, the claims representative appointed pursuant to this section may represent the department on the South Carolina Agent Orange Advisory Council and on the Hepatitis C Coalition established by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, assist the department in carrying out its duties in connection with the Agent Orange Information and Assistance program, represent the secretary in connection with functions relating to Vietnam veterans, and perform other duties as may be assigned by the secretary.

(C) The position created by this section is a classified position subject to Article 3, Chapter 11 of Title 8 of the 1976 Code. In the general appropriations act for fiscal year 2001-2002 and thereafter, the General Assembly shall add the position in the budget for the department and provide for its funding.