The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5415, aims to establish an Office of the Veterans' Health Care Ombudsman within the Office of Governmental Accountability, effective October 1, 2026. This office will coordinate with various resources, such as veterans' service officers and municipal veterans representatives, to assist eligible veterans and their caregivers in navigating the health care system administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Governor will appoint a Veterans' Health Care Ombudsman with expertise in veterans' health care to lead the office. The Ombudsman will be responsible for receiving and resolving complaints, compiling data on these complaints, educating veterans and caregivers about their rights, and making recommendations for improvements in the VA health care system.

Additionally, the Ombudsman is tasked with establishing a veterans' health care education course by October 1, 2027, to provide information on the VA health care system and available resources. An annual report will be submitted to the relevant legislative committee starting January 1, 2028, detailing the implementation of the office and recommendations for legislative improvements. The bill includes new legal language to create this office and its functions, while no deletions from current law are specified.