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HB 514

Benefit awareness & access prog.; establishes, military service members transition to civilian life.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marty Martinez

Virginia establishes a military-to-civilian transition benefit awareness program to inform and help service members access available benefits during discharge.

Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 0-N)
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Bill Summary · HB 514

Legislative bill overview

HB 514 establishes a benefit awareness and access program in Virginia designed to help military service members transition to civilian life. The bill creates a structured framework to inform departing service members about available benefits and assist them in accessing those benefits during their transition period.

Why is this important

Military transition is a critical life event affecting thousands of Virginians annually, with poor transitions linked to unemployment, homelessness, and mental health challenges. A coordinated benefit awareness program can reduce gaps in accessing earned benefits, potentially improving economic stability and quality of life for veterans and their families during a vulnerable period.

Potential points of contention

  • Program funding and sustainability – The bill's fiscal impact and whether appropriations are sufficient to implement comprehensive outreach across all service branches and bases in Virginia
  • Scope and coverage questions – Unclear whether the program addresses state benefits only or coordinates with federal VA benefits, potentially creating confusion about which entity provides what support
  • Implementation responsibility – Ambiguity about which state agency or entities oversee the program, coordinate services, and measure program effectiveness

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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