The Senate has passed legislation sponsored by Senators Joe Vitale and Joe Cryan that would establish a new cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs in New Jersey, separating veterans' services from the state's military operations.
The bill, S-4376, would reorganize the existing Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA) by transferring all veteran-specific programs into a newly created Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Programs focusing solely on military readiness and National Guard operations would remain under a restructured Department of Military Affairs.
"New Jersey's veterans deserve a government as committed to their well-being as they were to serve our nation," said Senator Vitale (D-Middlesex). "Veterans need to know their voices are being heard and their needs prioritized. This bill reflects that commitment by giving them a dedicated seat at the table and a department that works only for them. "
The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs manages military operations and veterans' services. Splitting these responsibilities into two departments will allow the new Department of Veterans Affairs to concentrate entirely on delivering housing, healthcare, mental health services, and benefits for veterans and their families, transferring existing services into a more focused agency.
"This is about giving veterans the attention and care they have earned,” said Senator Cryan (D-Union). “A standalone department will allow New Jersey to coordinate services better, deliver benefits more effectively, and elevate veterans' issues within our government. It is a change long overdue."
The proposal mirrors the model of several other states, such as New York, California, and Texas, which established separate agencies to better serve their veteran populations.
