summary
Introduced
04/10/2025
04/10/2025
In Committee
04/10/2025
04/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill creates a new Department of Veterans Affairs as a principal department in the executive branch of State government. All divisions and programs concerning veterans now in the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs are continued and transferred to the new Department of Veterans Affairs. The programs that do not concern veterans are continued in what will be referred to as the Department of Military Affairs. This bill does not create any new divisions or programs. All of the bill's provisions exist in current law and have been duplicated in this bill to provide for their recodification in a new Title 38B. Corresponding provisions of current law now codified in Title 38A are repealed. New Jersey's veterans have maintained their proud allegiance to the United States and have fought and died to preserve and protect our freedom and way of life. The Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, which is the current principal government agency that serves this State's veterans, has done an especially commendable job attending to this special group of residents. However, the department has significant priorities with regard to maintaining the strength and readiness of the National Guard and providing for homeland security. While many other states in the United States have a separate cabinet-level department for veterans affairs, New Jersey lacks an executive department which is concerned primarily with the needs and problems of veterans in this State. It is in the public interest to incorporate various services and programs which pertain specifically to veterans and their families and dependents into an executive agency which can serve their specific and special needs more efficiently than is possible at present.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs as a principal executive department in New Jersey, separating veterans' services from the existing Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. The bill creates a comprehensive framework for supporting veterans, including establishing a Commissioner of Veterans Affairs who will be responsible for overseeing a wide range of services and programs. Key provisions include creating advisory councils for veterans' facilities, developing programs to support veterans' mental health and employment, providing travel assistance for medical appointments, and establishing a Gold Star Family Counseling Program to support families of fallen service members. The bill also creates a Commission on Veterans Benefits to develop a strategic plan for veteran services and provides mechanisms for veterans to access various benefits, including educational assistance, healthcare support, and assistance with discharge status changes. The new department will maintain existing veterans' programs while creating new initiatives to better serve veterans' needs, such as a registry of veteran service organizations, mentorship programs, and comprehensive support for veterans facing challenges like homelessness or involvement with the criminal justice system.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (on 04/10/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5520 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A6000/5520_I1.HTM |
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