Cortez Masto Introduces Legislation to Better Connect Veterans with Benefits

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced legislation to make it easier for states to contact veterans about the benefits they may be eligible for. The Empowering States to Serve Veterans Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide state veterans agencies with contact information for veterans residing in that state. This bill is cosponsored by Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).

"State agencies, like the Nevada Department of Veterans Services, stand ready to serve veterans and connect them to crucial state services. But these agencies can't connect veterans with benefits in a timely manner without their contact information," said Senator Cortez Masto. "This commonsense fix would equip state governments with the tools they need to better reach and serve veterans."

"Veterans deserve to know about all the benefits they have earned, as this measure would help ensure. State veterans' agencies in Connecticut and across the country are invaluable partners in this effort- helping veterans get benefits, housing homeless veterans, and providing a final resting place at State Veterans Cemeteries. Our common sense bill will enable state agencies to better inform and connect veterans to these important benefits," said Ranking Member Blumenthal.

"States should be able to reach out directly to the veterans they serve so they can fully provide supplemental benefits and services parallel to those offered by the VA," said Senator Rosen. "This bill will tackle administrative hurdles and streamline processes, making it easier for state and federal agencies to work together effectively and get our veterans the support they need."

Specifically, the Empowering States to Serve Veterans Act would:

• Require VA to, at least quarterly, provide each compliant state veterans agency with contact information for veterans residing in that state, solely for statistical and outreach purposes;
• Allow state agencies to directly inform veterans about benefits, claims assistance, health resources, employment programs, education opportunities, and other services; and
• Require VA to issue implementing regulations within 180 days, with information sharing to begin one year after enactment.

To protect veterans' privacy, this legislation would require data sharing only for the purposes of connecting veterans with benefits. No protected health information, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, financial information, disability ratings, appeals, or claims information could be shared, and veterans would have the option to opt out of the data sharing agreement. In order to receive veterans' contact information, states would first have to prove their cybersecurity and data-protection practices meet federal standards.

"State veterans agencies need the tools to proactively reach veterans and connect them with the benefits, health care, employment assistance, and resources they have earned. This legislation will help states securely engage with veterans while protecting their privacy, allowing us to provide more effective outreach and ensure no veteran is left behind. I want to thank Senators Catherine Cortez Masto, Jacky Rosen, and Richard Blumenthal for recognizing the vital role state veterans agencies play in supporting those who have served," said Col. Mary Devine, Director of the Nevada Department of Veterans Services.

Senator Cortez Masto is a consistent champion for Nevada's service members and veterans. This year, she introduced two bipartisan bills to crack down on veterans taking advantage of veterans. She also recently introduced sweeping legislation to improve health care for veterans. She has worked to support veterans exposed to toxins while serving at the Nevada Test and Training Range. Cortez Masto successfully pushed the Biden administration to approve a new veterans cemetery in Elko, Nevada, and has been continually pushing the VA for transparency in the timeline of its construction. She has fought back against the Navy Federal Credit Union for overcharging service members.

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