Delaware House passes bill to establish Veterans Affairs Department
DOVER, Del. – Last week – the Delaware House unanimously passed legislation to create a new veterans affairs department.
With that would come a new secretary as well.
If the Department of Veterans Affairs is created under House Bill 1, it would serve as a resource for the 70,000 veterans living in Delaware.
The department would be overseen by a cabinet-level secretary who would be required to be a veteran.
We’re told the department would work to address veterans’ health care needs and improve access to benefits and advocate for veterans at both the state and federal levels.
Representative William Carson and Senator Nicole Poore are the sponsors of the bill.
“What we’re trying to do is make sure that we have a seat at the table, whether it’s in Delaware or outside of Delaware that when we are talking about our vets, that we’re on the same playing field as any other secretary,” said Sen. Poore.
The existing Commission of Veterans Affairs would still stay in operation, assisting Delaware veterans and their families.
Under the new bill – it would fall under the new Department of Veterans Affairs umbrella.
The Department of Veterans Affairs – meanwhile – would temporarily remain under the Department of State.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs would then be required to work with officials to develop a transition plan.
That plan would separate the Department of Veterans Affairs from the Department of State and have it begin operating independently by July 1, 2030.
“Obviously the commission will still stay in place and they will help support the secretary, but really again it is about making sure that we’re talking about health care, that we’re making sure that our vets who have been born and raised in Delaware or who are migrating to Delaware that they’re getting the care that they need as they age in place,” said Sen. Poore.
Sen. Poore said the legislation is slated for Committee hearing in the Senate on June 10th.
Poore said she expects unanimous approval again in the Senate and the piece of legislation to run within the week.
