Delaware — A proposal to establish a standalone Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs has passed the House of Representatives, marking a major step toward expanding services and support for the state’s veteran population. The bill, House Substitute 1 for House Bill 1, aims to centralize and strengthen assistance for the more than 70,000 veterans residing in the state. If enacted, the new department would work to improve access to health care, benefits, and critical resources. It would also serve as a state-level advocate to help veterans connect with federal services, including enrollment in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs system and access to millions in unclaimed federal benefits. Under the legislation, the newly created department would initially operate within the Delaware Department of State. However, a transition plan would be developed to shift it to an independent agency within the executive branch by July 1, 2030. The proposed department would also absorb the current Commission of Veterans Affairs, which would maintain its structure and continue operations under the new agency. In addition to its advocacy and coordination functions, the department would be tasked with exploring elder care solutions and the potential expansion of state-run veterans homes to address the needs of Delaware’s aging veteran population. The bill now heads to the Delaware Senate for further consideration. For more information on the legislation or to contact lawmakers, visit legis.delaware.gov.
