Bill > HB142

This bill establishes a Veterans and Military Families Ombudsman within the Department of Veterans and Military Families to serve as a dedicated resource for veterans and military families. The Ombudsman, who must be a veteran, will be appointed by the Secretary for a 5-year term and can be removed for cause. The Ombudsman's primary responsibilities include providing impartial information about state and federal laws, explaining rights to veterans and military families, advocating on their behalf, working neutrally with various entities to ensure service delivery, identifying patterns of complaints, and serving as a general resource for referrals. The bill mandates that the Ombudsman maintain confidentiality of communications and establish a toll-free telephone number available in multiple languages to assist individuals seeking information about veteran and military family services. Additionally, the Ombudsman is required to submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly by July 1st each year, detailing the number and type of calls received, complaint patterns, services provided, and recommendations for improving veteran and military family services. The legislation will take effect on October 1, 2025, with funding for the Ombudsman's salary, staff, and operations to be provided through the state budget.

Health and Social Services

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0142?ys=2025RS