NJ S3504

Creates the Office of the Veteran Advocate as an independent office within the Executive Branch, allocated to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs but not subject to its supervision or control

Establishes a Veteran Advocate appointed by the Governor with Senate consent for a 5-year term, with a minimum salary of $150,000 annually; candidates must be veterans and may have experience in veteran welfare, law, health care, or public administration

Grants the Veteran Advocate authority to investigate complaints from veterans and their families, conduct unannounced site visits to department facilities, issue subpoenas, inspect veterans' facilities, and establish a 24-hour toll-free hotline

Requires the Veteran Advocate to identify systemic problems in veteran care, provide written findings and recommendations to the department, and monitor implementation of corrective action responses for up to one year

Mandates annual public reporting to the Governor and Legislature on office activities, priorities for veterans' services, and recommendations for improvement, while protecting confidential information and complainant identities