A 813 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Requires DMVA assist discharged service members who have diagnosed service-connected mental health condition with petitions to change discharge designation.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) to help former service members with specific discharge statuses - such as "other than honorable," "bad conduct," or "dishonorable" - who have been diagnosed with a service-connected mental health condition. The DMVA must provide no-fee assistance with federal forms to petition for a discharge redesignation to "honorable," create uniform processes, and keep all information confidential. If successful, these individuals gain the same state rights, privileges, and benefits as those honorably discharged. The bill expands existing DMVA support (previously limited to cases tied to sexual orientation or gender identity) to include mental health-related discharges, defined as conditions linked to military service per medical standards.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Jan 13, 2026
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Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

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