SENATE PASSES BILL TO ESTABLISH 15-MEMBER WOMEN'S VETERANS COMMISSION

(TRENTON) - The Senate today approved legislation Assembly members Jack Conners, Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Linda R. Greenstein, Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Jeff Van Drew sponsored to establish a 15-member Commission on Women Veterans.

Under the measure (A-2726/S-1946), the new commission would be responsible for assessing the needs of women veterans and the benefits and programs provided to meet those needs and to educate and recruit prospective veterans.

The commission also would provide recommendations for administrative and legislative action and draw upon its members' shared knowledge and expertise to create programs and activities to better educate all citizens of New Jersey about women veterans' issues.

"With more women taking positions in our nation's military services, it's time New Jersey got ahead of the curve in preparing for rising numbers of military veterans who are women," said Assemblyman Conners (D-Camden/Burlington), a veteran and the chairman of   the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

"Whether they are men or women, our military veterans deserve the best of care and the best of services," said Assemblywoman Cruz-Perez (D-Camden), who also is a military veteran.

"This commission will ensure parity and quality for women veterans," said Assemblywoman Greenstein (D-Middlesex). Under the measure, the Governor would appoint 12 of the 15 commission members - nine would be required to be women.

One representative would need to be from each of the following branches of military service and auxiliaries: the Army; the Air Force; the Coast Guard; the Marines; the Navy; the Veterans of Foreign Wars; the American Legion; the Disabled American Veterans; the American Veterans; the New Jersey Army National Guard; the New Jersey Air National Guard; and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

The Commissioner of Military and Veterans' Affairs, the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, and the Director of the Division on Women in the Department of Community Affairs would all serve as ex officio members
"With so many of traditional veterans services being orientated toward men, this commission can help level the playing field for women veterans," said Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen).

"Women veterans share many of the concerns and needs as their male counterparts, but they also have different needs - particularly in the area of health care," said Assemblyman Van Drew (D-Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland).

The sponsors noted that the commission would utilize individuals who have expertise and a shared knowledge in issues faced by women veterans.

The sponsors also said large numbers of women veterans are unaware of the benefits and programs they are entitled to as veterans. They said it is imperative that women veterans know they are part of the veteran community and are able to efficiently access offered benefits and services.

The measure passed in the Assembly in March 2007 as part of a landmark pro-military veteran's agenda targeted toward assisting veterans, military personnel, and their families. 

The Senate passed the measure 74 to 2 with zero abstentions. It now heads to the Governor, who may sign it, veto it, or modify it in the form of a conditional veto.

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