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Bill

S 3190

Establishes Veterans Bill of Rights.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Tony Bucco and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes a comprehensive Veterans Bill of Rights in NJ to guarantee informed access, privacy, quality care, and proactive complaints/oversight for veterans and DVA services.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee
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Bill Summary · S 3190

Summary of Bill S 3190 (NJ, 222nd Legislature) — Veterans Bill of Rights Act

Purpose and Intent

S 3190 establishes a formal “Veterans Bill of Rights Act” to guide and inform the rights and benefits available to veterans residing in New Jersey. The act supplements Title 38 of the Revised Statutes and sets out how the Department of Veterans Affairs (NJ DVA) must communicate, protect, and advocate for veterans' interests in state programs and services.

Key Provisions

  • Issuance and Availability

    • The Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) must provide every veteran with:
    • a physical copy and an electronic copy of the Veterans Bill of Rights;
    • ongoing publication and maintenance of an electronic version on the DVA website;
    • a physical copy of the most recent version in each DVA facility.
    • The bill includes a disclaimer clarifying that nothing creates entitlements enforceable against the state beyond existing law.

  • Content of the Veterans Bill of Rights (subsection c)
    The rights enumerated (non-exhaustive) include:

    1. Right to fair treatment, with equal respect in all interactions with the DVA and affiliated providers.
    2. Right to be informed of all eligible programs and benefits upon discharge; a comprehensive handbook (print and online) updated annually, covering healthcare, education, housing, etc.
    3. Right to privacy:
      • protection of personal information and records;
      • clear disclosure of data use, sharing, and protection in compliance with law.
    4. Right to access quality care through DVA facilities and community providers; tailored physical and mental health services.
    5. Right to mental health and family support services, including therapy and telehealth when available; support for veterans’ families.
    6. Right to employment and housing assistance, including job training, career counseling, resume help, and housing stability/homelessness-prevention resources.
    7. Right to accessibility in services and facilities, including reasonable accommodations and telehealth options where practicable.
    8. Right to participate in decisions about care plans, treatment options, and benefits.
    9. Right to transparency in benefits adjudication, with assistance in the claim process.
    10. Right to consistent, proactive communication, with updates about changes in benefits posted on the DVA website and information about new or modified services.

  • Complaint Mechanism and Accountability

    • The DVA must maintain a toll-free hotline and a public website for veterans to report compliance issues.
    • The department must respond to a complaint within 30 days of receipt.

  • Annual Reporting

    • Not later than the end of each year, the Commissioner must report to the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee (or successors) on compliance.
    • The report must cover:
    • total complaints by category and by facility/division;
    • median complaint response times and percentage resolved within 30 days;
    • number of corrective actions or policy changes;
    • number of veterans directed to community care resources;
    • recommendations for further legislative or administrative action.

  • Effective Date

    • The act takes effect on the first day of the sixth month after enactment, with allowance for anticipatory administrative action to implement it in advance.

Affected Parties and Impact

  • Primary Beneficiaries: Veterans residing in New Jersey who interact with the DVA and its affiliated service providers.
  • State and Agencies: New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs, and by extension, state service providers and community partners delivering veteran care, housing, employment, and mental health services.
  • Impact Considerations: Improves veteran awareness of benefits, ensures greater transparency and privacy protections, enhances access to care, and formalizes complaint handling and annual oversight.

Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • Annual reporting to legislative committees provides ongoing oversight.
  • The bill becomes effective six months post-enactment, with flexibility for early administrative action.
  • A toll-free hotline and public website are mandated for compliance reporting and feedback.

Overall, S 3190 codifies a comprehensive rights framework for NJ veterans and establishes mechanisms for information distribution, accessibility, privacy protection, care quality, interagency coordination, and accountability.

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

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