This bill seeks to amend the definition of "veteran" to include discharged LGBTQ veterans who were less than honorably discharged from the Armed Forces due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or related conduct. It introduces a new legal definition for "discharged LGBTQ veteran" and mandates the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to create a review process to determine eligibility for this classification. The bill aims to ensure that these veterans are recognized alongside their peers and can access state benefits that were previously denied due to their discharge status.

In addition to expanding the definition of "veteran," the bill also establishes a framework for verifying the status of discharged LGBTQ veterans and outlines the necessary documentation for eligibility. It addresses historical injustices faced by LGBTQ veterans, particularly those discharged under unfavorable conditions from World War II until the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in 2011. The bill is designed to rectify the impact of these discharges on access to benefits and is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 10:5-39, 13:1L-12.1, 18A:36-13.2, 18A:62-4.1, 18A:75A-3, 34:15D-4, 38A:3-6.3, 39:3-10, 39:3-29.3, 40:37A-114.1, 40:61-22.20, 40A:9-78.2, 40A:12A-20.2, 43:15A-6, 43:16A-11.7, 45:19A-4, 46:8-51, 52:27D-517, 52:32-50, 53:5A-3, 54:4-8.10