The bill aims to enhance support and services for veterans in Washington by expanding the veterans service officer program, which assists veterans in accessing state and federal benefits. The legislation recognizes that many veterans are unaware of the benefits available to them and seeks to increase the number of veterans applying for these benefits. The program, which has already shown success in increasing applications and federal benefits received, will be expanded by adding one to two veterans service officers per biennium, particularly in counties with lower benefit uptake. The estimated cost for this expansion is $160,000 per year for each additional county.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide information about available services to veterans within 90 days of their discharge and to report biennially on veterans services. The report will include data on the number of veterans in each county, the services available, and the claims filed. The bill also amends existing law to redefine "eligible counties" for the veterans service officer program based on the percentage of veterans receiving federal benefits, rather than population size. The department is tasked with prioritizing funding for counties with the lowest benefit uptake and ensuring access to veterans service officers for veterans from adjacent counties. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2028.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.60A.230, 43.60A.235
Substitute Bill: 43.60A.230
Second Substitute: 43.60A.230, 73.08.080, 84.52.043, 84.52.010
Engrossed Second Substitute: 43.60A.230
Bill as Passed Legislature: 43.60A.230
Session Law: 43.60A.230