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Bill

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Bill

A 4056

Requires DVA establish Veterans Outdoor Recovery Task Force.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Fantasia and 2 co-sponsors

New Jersey would establish a Veterans Outdoor Recovery Task Force within the Department of Veterans Affairs to coordinate outdoor wellness programs for veterans' mental health and recovery.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 4056

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 4056 would require New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to establish a Veterans Outdoor Recovery Task Force. The task force would presumably coordinate outdoor recreation and wellness programs designed to support veteran mental health and recovery. The bill creates a formal mechanism to organize existing or new outdoor-based initiatives benefiting veterans.

Why is this important

Mental health challenges, including PTSD and depression, affect significant portions of the veteran population, and outdoor recreation has demonstrated therapeutic benefits in clinical settings. Formalizing a task force could improve coordination, funding accessibility, and program evaluation for outdoor-based veteran services. However, the bill's actual impact depends heavily on its funding, staffing, and whether it creates new programs or merely coordinates existing ones.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact unclear: The bill doesn't specify funding mechanisms, raising questions about whether new resources are allocated or existing budgets are redirected
  • Task force scope undefined: Without specified duties, membership requirements, or measurable outcomes, the task force could become a symbolic body with limited operational capacity
  • Duplication concerns: New Jersey may already have veteran outdoor programs through nonprofits and federal initiatives; clarification needed on whether this duplicates efforts or fills genuine gaps

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

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