DOVER – Legislation that would create a new state-level department and secretary dedicated to veterans issues cleared the House Veterans Affairs Committee on Tuesday.
Sponsored by Rep. William Carson, House Bill 1 would create the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs to serve as an advocate and resource for the 70,000 veterans residing in the First State. The department would be overseen by a cabinet-level Secretary who is required to be a veteran.
“As a veteran, I know the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform and the challenges they face when their service ends. Our veterans bring so much to Delaware – they are leaders and contributors to our economy and communities,” said Rep. Carson.
“This Department is about meeting their needs, addressing their concerns, and honoring our commitment to those who have served and sacrificed for our country.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs would work to address veterans’ healthcare needs more effectively, improve access to benefits, and advocate for veterans holistically at both the state and federal levels.
Under HB 1, the Commission of Veterans Affairs, which assists Delaware’s veterans and their families, would continue to operate under its current structure under the new Department of Veterans Affairs umbrella.
An amendment to the bill would require the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to obtain the advice and consent of the Commission on Veteran Affairs before making changes such as establishing, consolidating, abolishing, or reorganizing divisions and offices within the department.
“The State of Delaware is home to more than 70,000 veterans. We owe these brave men and women the utmost degree of care and compassion for their service to our nation, which is why I am delighted to champion Rep. Carson’s House Bill 1 in the Senate,” said Sen. Nicole Poore, Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
“Caring for our veterans transcends politics. This is a long overdue proposal, and I hope that this legislation receives the bipartisan support it deserves.”
A key goal of the department would be to advocate for Delaware veterans at the federal level, helping to unlock millions of dollars in untapped federal resources. This includes helping to register veterans into the VA system, which could decrease state spending on supplemental Medicaid and other payments.
In addition to advocacy and program management, the new department would be tasked with proposing strategies for alternative elder care and exploring the creation of additional veterans homes to address the needs of the state’s aging veteran population.
House Bill 1 now heads to the House Appropriations Committee.
###