The proposed bill establishes the "New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs" as a principal department within the Executive Branch, dedicated to serving veterans. It outlines the responsibilities of the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, who must be an honorably discharged veteran appointed by the Governor with Senate approval. The Commissioner will oversee operations, appoint personnel, and coordinate services for veterans, including financial planning assistance and support for veterans in the criminal justice system. The bill also mandates the creation of a public webpage for Gold Star family members, a directory of Veterans Diversion Resource Program entities, and a regional network of Veteran Service Offices. Additionally, it includes provisions for drug testing of direct care staff at veterans' memorial homes and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a supportive environment for veterans.

Furthermore, the bill introduces several new initiatives aimed at enhancing support for veterans and their families, such as a tuition assistance program for Vietnam veterans, the "New Jersey Homeless Veterans Grant Program," and the "Gold Star Family Counseling Program" for mental health support. It establishes a Commission on Women Veterans and outlines a process for funeral directors to transfer unclaimed cremains of veterans. The bill also includes provisions for public hearings before the closure of veterans' facilities, ensuring community input, and mandates quarterly town hall meetings at veterans' memorial homes. Significant administrative changes are made, transferring various functions from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to the new Department of Veterans Affairs, while removing outdated language and clarifying references to streamline the administration of veterans' services in New Jersey.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 38A:3-1.1, 38A:3-1, 38A:3-1.2, 38A:3-2, 38A:3-6.19, 38A:3-16, 38A:13-9, 38:17-2.1, 52:14-15.107