Bill > HB1737

This bill amends the Code of Virginia to expand the powers and duties of the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services by adding a new requirement to develop and maintain an online portal specifically designed to help veterans, members of the Virginia National Guard, Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves who qualify for veteran status, and their immediate family members. The online portal will serve as a comprehensive digital resource hub, connecting these individuals to available programs, services, and resources within the Commonwealth. Additionally, the portal will enable electronic application submissions for these services and is mandated to handle personal information in strict compliance with state and federal privacy laws. The bill also makes several minor technical changes to existing language, such as removing unnecessary phrases like "but not limited to" and standardizing department name references. This new online portal represents a significant technological advancement in veterans services, aiming to make accessing support resources more convenient and streamlined for military-connected individuals and their families.