The proposed legislation, Substitute Bill No. 5415, establishes the Office of the Veterans' and Military Healthcare Ombudsman, effective October 1, 2026. This office will operate under the Office of the Healthcare Advocate and is tasked with coordinating resources to assist veterans, active and retired members of the armed forces, and their families in navigating the healthcare systems administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States Department of Defense. The Governor will appoint an Ombudsman with relevant expertise to lead the office, which will also handle complaints, analyze data, provide public information, and advocate for improved coordination among existing resources.

Additionally, the Ombudsman is required to establish a veterans' and military healthcare education course by October 1, 2027, to educate eligible individuals and caregivers about the healthcare systems and available resources. An annual report detailing the implementation of the office and legislative recommendations will be submitted to the General Assembly's committee on veterans' and military affairs starting January 1, 2028. The bill introduces new legal language to create this office and its functions while making no deletions from existing law.