Bill > S826

Introduced Session

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will establish and maintain a database of veteran separation documents. The purpose of the database will be to create a central location for storing digital copies of veteran separation documents such as a DD-214 or NGB-22 form. The database will only be accessible by a public agency and will only be accessible for the purpose of determining the eligibility of a veteran or a veteran's family member, as appropriate, to receive veteran benefits. The separation documents will be submitted voluntarily by the veteran or a family member, and may be submitted posthumously by an immediate family member of a deceased veteran. Under the bill, "veteran" means a person who served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces, a Reserve component thereof, or the National Guard of this State or another state. The department will determine the criteria for granting access to the database, which will include a procedure to confirm that the planned use of the separation document is consistent with law. The department will advertise and promote the use of the database on the department's website. The database will not be subject to the provisions of the law commonly referred to as the open public records act or to the common law concerning access to public records, and any person who missuses the information contained in a separation document will be guilty of a disorderly person's offense and subject to a fine, imprisonment, or both. Veteran benefits require proof of service and proof of discharge. Discharge papers, also known as separation documents, provide this necessary information. A veteran must provide the separation document with each new application for a veteran benefit and the document can often become lost or worn. A central location for the digital storing of separation documents would streamline application processes, and prevent the documents from becoming lost or worn over time.

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Mike Testa (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (on 01/18/2022)

Official Document