summary
Introduced
03/24/2025
03/24/2025
In Committee
03/24/2025
03/24/2025
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 Corresponding provisions of current law now codified in Title 38A are repealed.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 a new Department of Veterans Affairs in New Jersey as a principal executive branch department. The bill creates a comprehensive framework for serving veterans, including establishing a Commissioner of Veterans Affairs who will be an honorably discharged veteran appointed by the Governor. The department will take over many functions previously handled by the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, including supervising veterans' memorial homes, operating veterans' cemeteries, providing veterans' services, and administering various programs to support veterans. Key provisions include creating a financial planning assistance program for disabled veterans, establishing a Gold Star Family Counseling Program, developing a travel assistance program for veterans attending medical appointments, and creating multiple advisory councils to support veterans' needs. The bill also creates a Commission on Veterans Benefits to develop a strategic plan for veteran services and ensures that the new department will have comprehensive responsibilities for supporting New Jersey's veterans, including assistance with education, employment, healthcare, housing, and other critical support services. The new department aims to provide more focused and efficient support for the state's veterans by creating a dedicated agency specifically designed to address their unique needs.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (13)
Joe Cryan (D)*,
Joe Vitale (D)*,
Renee Burgess (D),
Patrick Diegnan (D),
Vin Gopal (D),
Linda Greenstein (D),
Gordon Johnson (D),
Joe Lagana (D),
Angela Mcknight (D),
Raj Mukherji (D),
Teresa Ruiz (D),
Brian Stack (D),
Andrew Zwicker (D),
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (on 03/24/2025)
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/S4376 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4500/4376_I1.HTM |
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