Bill > S1907

This bill mandates the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to create a program within each veterans' memorial home to offer comprehensive support to the families of residents, aiming to make information and resources more accessible by locating them directly within these homes. This program will be managed by the resident advocate at each home, who will be responsible for developing systems to provide timely information and resources upon request, including health and facility updates, details on veteran benefits and external resources, and information on financial assistance and charities. The resident advocate will also establish a program for counseling support for family members, which may include in-person and group sessions with the resident, as well as guidance on external counseling services. Furthermore, the resident advocate must inform the public and affected families about the availability of this new program. For the purposes of this bill, a "family member" is defined as a New Jersey resident who is the spouse, domestic partner, civil union partner, or child (including adopted children) of a resident at a State veterans' memorial home. The Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs is required to adopt the necessary rules and regulations to implement these family support programs within 90 days of enactment, with an initial set of rules effective for up to one year before being formally adopted through the standard administrative process. The bill will take effect on the first day of the sixth month after its enactment, though the department can take preparatory actions sooner.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1907