The "New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs Act" establishes a principal department within the Executive Branch, known as the Department of Veterans Affairs, and defines key terms such as "Commissioner," "Department," and "Veteran." The act mandates that the Commissioner, who must be an honorably discharged veteran appointed by the Governor, administers various functions including overseeing veteran services, managing personnel, and coordinating with other state agencies. It also introduces a financial planning assistance program for disabled veterans and their caregivers, a volunteer program for veterans in the criminal justice system, and emphasizes drug testing for direct care staff at veterans' memorial homes. Additionally, the act outlines the administration of state veterans' memorial homes and cemeteries, the application for federal grants, and the transfer of remains from paupers' cemeteries to designated memorial sites.

The bill further enhances support for veterans by establishing programs for educational assistance, legal services, and assistance for homeless veterans. It creates a tuition assistance program for Vietnam veterans, a grant program for organizations assisting homeless veterans, and a legal services law for veterans facing homelessness. The Department of Veterans Affairs is tasked with maintaining a registry of service organizations and developing a reimbursement program for veterans' travel expenses to medical appointments. The bill also introduces the "Gold Star Family Counseling Program," a commission to improve veterans' benefits, and provisions for confidentiality regarding discharge designations. It streamlines responsibilities by transferring various functions from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to the Department of Veterans Affairs and includes a repealer section to eliminate outdated provisions, with the act set to take effect 120 days after enactment.

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
Advance Law: 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, 43:15A-6.1, 43:16A-11.7
Pamphlet Law: 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, 43:15A-6.1, 43:16A-11.7