NJ A5520

Establishes a new Department of Veterans Affairs as a principal department in the Executive Branch, separating it from the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, which will be renamed the Department of Military Affairs

Creates the position of Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs, who must be an honorably discharged veteran, appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent, to oversee all veterans' programs and services

Transfers oversight of veterans' memorial homes (Menlo Park, Vineland, Paramus), the veterans' memorial cemetery in Arneytown, and homeless veterans' facilities (Veterans Haven North and South) to the new department

Consolidates administration of veterans' benefits including blind veterans' allowances, paraplegic/hemiplegic allowances, veterans' loans, tuition assistance programs, the Gold Star Family Counseling Program, and the New Jersey Homeless Veterans Grant Program

Establishes new oversight bodies including the New Jersey Commission on Veterans Benefits with 13 members to develop a five-year statewide veterans' benefits strategic plan, advisory councils for veterans' facilities, and the Commission on Women Veterans