Public Affairs Officer
Military Housing Privatization Initiative Tenant Bill of Rights Signed by Secretary Esper
Military Housing Privatization Initiative Tenant Bill of Rights
The Department of Defense is fully committed to ensuring our Nation's most valued resource its military service members and their families-have access to safe, quality, and well maintained homes and communities on DoD installations.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 set out eighteen rights of military service members and their families (Tenants) residing in privatized housing. The Department of Defense commits to ensuring that privatized housing Tenants receive quality housing and fair treatment from the Military Housing Privatization Initiative project owners (MHPI companies) that operate and maintain privatized housing.
It is paramount that residents receive the full benefit of each right. The Department of Defense, through each of its Military Departments, will work diligently and expeditiously to develop the processes and procedures needed to implement these rights and make Tenants aware of them.
However, many of the rights set forth by Congress pertain to legal matters that do not lend themselves to unilateral action by the Department. To the extent it is not already the case, the Military Departments commit to working with the MHPI companies to incorporate these rights and procedures into appropriate project legal documents. In some cases, more work is required before the benefits of these rights are fully available to tenants.
Legislative Update: Feb 7, 2020
Veteran / Military Related Bill Tracking February 7, 2020
|
Bill |
Companion Bills |
Title |
Status |
Sponsor |
Latest Cmte Mtg Info |
|
HB 1201 |
SB 5197(H Hous, Com Dev) |
National guard ed. grants |
H Rules R |
Kilduff |
|
|
SHB 1328 |
SB 5772(S State Govt/Tri) |
Military spouse employment |
H Approps |
HOUS(Kilduf f) |
|
|
SHB 1650 |
|
LGBTQ coordinator/veterans |
H Rules R |
APP(Kilduff) |
|
|
HB 1829 |
|
Veterans' assistance levies |
S Ways & Means |
Chapman |
|
|
HB 2111 |
|
Ballot return by fax & email |
H State Govt & T |
Boehnke |
Jan 21 Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM. (2020) |
|
SHB 2185 |
SB 6116(S Higher Ed & Wo) |
Higher ed residency/military |
H Rules R |
CWD(Leavit t) |
|
|
HB 2187 |
SB 6433(S Transportat ion) |
Women veterans license plate |
H Trans |
Kilduff |
Feb 06 Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
HB 2188 |
|
Military veteran CDL waivers |
H Rules R |
Leavitt |
|
|
SHB 2200 |
|
Military spouse liaison |
H Approps |
HOUS(Klipp ert) |
Feb 06 Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 3:30 PM. (2020) |
|
HB 2261 |
|
County auditors/marriage |
H Rules R |
Leavitt |
|
|
SHB 2303 |
|
Prof. licensing/military |
H Approps |
HOUS(Leavi tt) |
|
|
HB 2376 |
SB 6209(S Rules 2) |
Nurse licensure compact |
H HC/Welln ess |
Riccelli |
Jan 17 Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 8:00 AM. (2020) |
|
HB 2395 |
|
Licensure/military spouses |
H Hous, Com Dev |
Dufault |
Jan 21 Public hearing in the House Committee on Housing, Community Development & Veterans at 10:00 AM. (2020) |
|
SHB 2411 |
|
Suicide prevention/providers |
H Rules R |
HCW(Orwall ) |
|
|
HB 2487 |
SB 6338(S State Govt/Tri) |
Veterans' scoring criteria |
H State Govt & T |
Smith |
|
|
SHB 2534 |
|
Provisional prof. licenses |
H Approps |
HOUS(Dufa ult) |
|
|
HB 2542 |
|
Child of veteran/tuition |
H Approps |
Paul |
|
|
SHB 2543 |
|
In-state residency/veterans |
H 2nd Reading |
CWD(Paul) |
|
|
HB 2544 |
|
Definition of veteran |
H Approps |
Paul |
Feb 06 Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 3:30 PM. (2020) |
|
HB 2605 |
|
Loans to businesses/B&O tax |
H Finance |
Young |
|
|
HB 2647 |
SB 6412(S State Govt/Tri) |
Election security |
H State Govt & T |
Walsh |
|
|
HB 2655 |
SB 6418(S Rules 2) |
Pensions/"period of war" |
H Approps |
Griffey |
Jan 23 Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 3:30 PM. (2020) |
|
SHB 2730 |
|
Military spouse employment |
H Rules R |
CRJ(Kilduff) |
|
|
HB 2736 |
|
State guard retirement age |
H Rules R |
Kilduff |
|
|
HB 2877 |
|
Disabled veterans |
H Finance |
Sutherland |
|
|
HB 2885 |
|
Veterans service orgs. |
H Hous, Com Dev |
Mosbrucker |
Feb 04 Public hearing in the House Committee on Housing, Community Development & Veterans at 10:00 AM. (2020) |
|
HB 2916 |
|
Voters' pamphlets overseas |
H SGOVDP |
Mosbrucker |
|
|
HJM 4016 |
|
SR 902/Gold Star Memorial |
H Trans |
Riccelli |
Feb 05 Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM. (2020) |
|
ESSB 5167 |
|
Linked deposit program |
H Inn, Tech & E |
FIET(Hasega wa) |
|
|
SB 5197 |
HB 1201(H Rules R) |
National guard ed. grants |
H Hous, Com Dev |
Hobbs |
|
|
2SSB 5544 |
|
Veterans/CDL waivers |
S Rules 2 |
TRAN(Hobb s) |
|
|
SB 5762 |
|
Veteran-owned businesses |
S State Govt/Tri |
Hasegawa |
|
|
SB 5772 |
HB 1328(H Approps) |
Military spouse employment |
S State Govt/Tri |
O'Ban |
|
|
SSB 5858 |
|
Military dept. state service |
S Ways & Means |
FIET(Hobbs) |
|
|
SB 5890 |
|
Disabled veteran assist./tax |
S State Govt/Tri |
O'Ban |
|
|
SSB 5900 |
|
LGBTQ coordinator/veterans |
S Rules 2 |
WM(Randal l) |
|
|
SB 6116 |
HB 2185(H Rules R) |
Higher ed residency/military |
S Higher Ed & Wo |
O'Ban |
Jan 23 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM. (2020) |
|
SB 6183 |
|
Elections/common access card |
S State Govt/Tri |
Hunt |
Feb 07 Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections at 11:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
SB 6199 |
|
Prop. tax exemp./inflation |
S Ways & Means |
Braun |
|
|
SSB 6209 |
HB 2376(H HC/Wellnes s) |
Nurse licensure compact |
S Rules 2 |
HLTC(Randa ll) |
|
|
SB 6338 |
HB 2487(H State Govt & T) |
Veterans' scoring criteria |
S State Govt/Tri |
Wagoner |
|
|
SB 6412 |
HB 2647(H State Govt & T) |
Election security |
S State Govt/Tri |
Zeiger |
Feb 05 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections at 8:00 AM. (2020) |
|
SB 6418 |
HB 2655(H Approps) |
Pensions/"period of war" |
S Rules 2 |
Holy |
|
|
SB 6433 |
HB 2187(H Trans) |
Women veterans license plate |
S Transport ation |
Rolfes |
Feb 03 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM. (2020) |
|
SB 6465 |
|
Occupational licensing |
S Labor & Commer |
Wilson |
Jan 27 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:00 AM. (2020) |
|
SB 6626 |
|
Military spouse liaison |
S Ways & Means |
Conway |
Feb 05 Public hearing and executive action taken in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections at 8:00 AM. (2020) |
|
SB 6678 |
|
Veteran memorials/sales tax |
S State Govt/Tri |
Honeyford |
|
|
SJM 8020 |
|
Highway naming |
S Transport ation |
Honeyford |
Feb 03 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM. (2020) |
Legislative Update: Jan 31, 2020
WDVA Legislative Updates
Welcome to the Legislative Updates Email List! The first day of the Regular 2020 Legislative Session was January 13, 2019 and the session will last 60 days.
You can find more information on each of these bills by visiting www.leg.wa.gov .
Check the WDVA Legislative Updates page for updated information throughout the week.
Bill Tracking as of January 31, 2020
Visit apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/ to find detailed information and updated committee information on the bills listed below.
|
Flag |
Bill |
Companion Bills |
Title |
Status |
Sponsor |
Latest Cmte Mtg Info |
|
fd |
HB 1201 |
SB 5197(H Hous, Com Dev) |
National guard ed. grants |
H Approps |
Kilduff |
Jan 30 Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 3:30 PM. (2020) |
|
f |
SHB 1328 |
SB 5772(S State Govt/Tri) |
Military spouse employment |
H Approps |
HOUS(Kilduff) |
|
|
f |
HB 1650 |
LGBT coordinator/veterans |
H Approps |
Kilduff |
Jan 30 Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 3:30 PM. (2020) |
|
|
f# |
HB 1829 |
Veterans' assistance levies |
S Ways & Means |
Chapman |
||
|
f#d |
HB 2111 |
Ballot return by fax & email |
H State Govt & T |
Boehnke |
Jan 21 Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM. (2020) |
|
|
SHB 2185 |
SB 6116(S Higher Ed & Wo) |
Higher ed residency/military |
H CWDDPS |
CWD(Leavitt) |
||
|
f |
HB 2187 |
SB 6433(S Transportation) |
Women veterans license plate |
H Trans |
Kilduff |
Feb 06 Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
f |
HB 2188 |
Military veteran CDL waivers |
H Rules R |
Leavitt |
||
|
SHB 2200 |
Military spouse liaison |
H Approps |
HOUS(Klippert) |
|||
|
f# |
HB 2261 |
County auditors/marriage |
H Rules R |
Leavitt |
||
|
HB 2303 |
Prof. licensing/military |
H Hous, Com Dev |
Leavitt |
Jan 31 Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Housing, Community Development & Veterans at 10:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
||
|
f |
HB 2376 |
SB 6209(S Health & Long) |
Nurse licensure compact |
H HC/Wellness |
Riccelli |
Jan 17 Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 8:00 AM. (2020) |
|
f |
HB 2395 |
Licensure/military spouses |
H Hous, Com Dev |
Dufault |
Jan 21 Public hearing in the House Committee on Housing, Community Development & Veterans at 10:00 AM. (2020) |
|
|
f |
HB 2411 |
Suicide prevention/providers |
H HC/Wellness |
Orwall |
Jan 31 Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 8:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
|
HB 2487 |
SB 6338(S State Govt/Tri) |
Veterans' scoring criteria |
H State Govt & T |
Smith |
||
|
f |
HB 2534 |
Provisional prof. licenses |
H Hous, Com Dev |
Dufault |
Jan 31 Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Housing, Community Development & Veterans at 10:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
|
f |
HB 2542 |
Child of veteran/tuition |
H CWDDP |
Paul |
||
|
SHB 2543 |
In-state residency/veterans |
H CWDDPS |
CWD(Paul) |
|||
|
f |
HB 2544 |
Definition of veteran |
H Approps |
Paul |
Feb 08 Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
|
HB 2605 |
Loans to businesses/B&O tax |
H Finance |
Young |
|||
|
fo |
HB 2655 |
SB 6418(S Rules 2) |
Pensions/"period of war" |
H Approps |
Griffey |
Jan 23 Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 3:30 PM. (2020) |
|
f |
HB 2730 |
Military spouse employment |
H Civil R & Judi |
Kilduff |
Jan 31 Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 10:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
|
f |
HB 2736 |
State guard retirement age |
H Hous, Com Dev |
Kilduff |
Jan 31 Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Housing, Community Development & Veterans at 10:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
|
HB 2877 |
Disabled veterans |
H Finance |
Sutherland |
|||
|
HB 2885 |
Veterans service orgs. |
H Hous, Com Dev |
Mosbrucker |
Feb 04 Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Housing, Community Development & Veterans at 10:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
||
|
HB 2916 |
Voters' pamphlets overseas |
H State Govt & T |
Mosbrucker |
|||
|
HJM 4016 |
SR 902/Gold Star Memorial |
H Trans |
Riccelli |
Jan 30 Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
||
|
f |
ESSB 5167 |
Linked deposit program |
H Inn, Tech & E |
FIET(Hasegawa) |
||
|
fd |
SB 5197 |
HB 1201(H Approps) |
National guard ed. grants |
H Hous, Com Dev |
Hobbs |
|
|
f |
ESSB 5544 |
Veterans/CDL waivers |
S Transportation |
TRAN(Hobbs) |
Jan 29 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM. (2020) |
|
|
f |
SB 5762 |
Veteran-owned businesses |
S State Govt/Tri |
Hasegawa |
||
|
SB 5772 |
HB 1328(H Approps) |
Military spouse employment |
S State Govt/Tri |
O'Ban |
||
|
f |
SSB 5858 |
Military dept. state service |
S Ways & Means |
FIET(Hobbs) |
||
|
SB 5890 |
Disabled veteran assist./tax |
S State Govt/Tri |
O'Ban |
|||
|
f |
SB 5900 |
LGBTQ coordinator/veterans |
S Ways & Means |
Randall |
||
|
f |
SB 6116 |
HB 2185(H CWDDPS) |
Higher ed residency/military |
S Higher Ed & Wo |
O'Ban |
Jan 23 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM. (2020) |
|
f |
SB 6183 |
Elections/common access card |
S State Govt/Tri |
Hunt |
Jan 15 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections at 8:00 AM. (2020) |
|
|
SB 6199 |
Prop. tax exemp./inflation |
S Ways & Means |
Braun |
|||
|
f |
SB 6209 |
HB 2376(H HC/Wellness) |
Nurse licensure compact |
S Health & Long |
Randall |
|
|
SB 6338 |
HB 2487(H State Govt & T) |
Veterans' scoring criteria |
S State Govt/Tri |
Wagoner |
||
|
fo |
SB 6418 |
HB 2655(H Approps) |
Pensions/"period of war" |
S Rules 2 |
Holy |
|
|
f |
SB 6433 |
HB 2187(H Trans) |
Women veterans license plate |
S Transportation |
Rolfes |
Feb 03 Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
f |
SB 6465 |
Occupational licensing |
S Labor & Commer |
Wilson |
Jan 27 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:00 AM. (2020) |
|
|
SB 6626 |
Military spouse liaison |
S State Govt/Tri |
Conway |
Feb 05 Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections at 8:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
||
|
SJM 8020 |
Highway naming |
S Transportation |
Honeyford |
Feb 03 Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
Legislative Update: Jan 24, 2020
WDVA Legislative Updates
Welcome to the Legislative Updates Email List! The first day of the Regular 2020 Legislative Session was January 13, 2019 and the session will last 60 days.
You can find more information on each of these bills by visiting www.leg.wa.gov .
Check the WDVA Legislative Updates page for updated information throughout the week.
Bill Tracking as of January 24, 2020
|
Bill |
Companion Bills |
Title |
Status |
Sponsor (Combined) |
Latest Cmte Mtg Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
HB 1201 |
SB 5197(S 3rd Reading) |
National guard ed. grants |
H Approps |
Kilduff |
Jan 30 Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 3:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
SHB 1328 |
SB 5772(S State Govt/Tri) |
Military spouse employment |
H Approps |
HOUS(Kilduff) |
|
|
HB 1650 |
LGBT coordinator/veterans |
H Approps |
Kilduff |
Jan 30 Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 3:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
|
HB 1829 |
Veterans' assistance levies |
H Passed 3rd |
Chapman |
|
|
|
HB 2111 |
Ballot return by fax & email |
H State Govt & T |
Boehnke |
Jan 21 Public hearing |
|
|
HB 2185 |
SB 6116(S Higher Ed & Wo) |
Higher ed residency/military |
H Coll & Wkf Dev |
Leavitt |
Jan 29 Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on College & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
HB 2187 |
SB 6433(S Transportation) |
Women veterans license plate |
H Trans |
Kilduff |
|
|
HB 2188 |
Military veteran CDL waivers |
H Trans |
Leavitt |
Jan 22 Executive action taken |
|
|
HB 2200 |
Military spouse liaison |
H Hous, Com Dev |
Klippert |
Jan 24 Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Housing, Community Development & Veterans at 10:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
|
HB 2261 |
County auditors/marriage |
H Rules R |
Leavitt |
|
|
|
HB 2303 |
Prof. licensing/military |
H Hous, Com Dev |
Leavitt |
Jan 21 Public hearing |
|
|
HB 2395 |
Licensure/military spouses |
H Hous, Com Dev |
Dufault |
Jan 21 Public hearing |
|
|
HB 2411 |
Suicide prevention/providers |
H HC/Wellness |
Orwall |
Jan 31 Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 8:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
|
HB 2487 |
SB 6338(S State Govt/Tri) |
Veterans' scoring criteria |
H State Govt & T |
Smith |
|
|
HB 2534 |
Provisional prof. licenses |
H Hous, Com Dev |
Dufault |
Jan 31 Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Housing, Community Development & Veterans at 10:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
|
HB 2542 |
Child of veteran/tuition |
H Coll & Wkf Dev |
Paul |
Jan 29 Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on College & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
|
HB 2543 |
In-state residency/veterans |
H Coll & Wkf Dev |
Paul |
Jan 29 Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on College & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
|
HB 2544 |
Definition of veteran |
H Approps |
Paul |
Jan 23 Public hearing |
|
|
HB 2605 |
Loans to businesses/B&O tax |
H Finance |
Young |
|
|
|
HB 2655 |
SB 6418(S Ways & Means) |
Pensions/"period of war" |
H Approps |
Griffey |
Jan 23 Public hearing |
|
HB 2730 |
Military spouse employment |
H Civil R & Judi |
Kilduff |
Jan 28 Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 10:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
|
HB 2736 |
State guard retirement age |
H Hous, Com Dev |
Kilduff |
Jan 31 Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Housing, Community Development & Veterans at 10:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
|
HJM 4016 |
SR 902/Gold Star Memorial |
H Trans |
Riccelli |
Jan 30 Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
|
SSB 5167 |
Linked deposit program |
S Passed 3rd |
FIET(Hasegawa) |
|
|
|
SB 5197 |
HB 1201(H Approps) |
National guard ed. grants |
S 3rd Reading |
Hobbs |
|
|
SB 5762 |
Veteran-owned businesses |
S State Govt/Tri |
Hasegawa |
|
|
|
SB 5772 |
HB 1328(H Approps) |
Military spouse employment |
S State Govt/Tri |
O'Ban |
|
|
SSB 5858 |
Military dept. state service |
S Ways & Means |
FIET(Hobbs) |
|
|
|
SB 5890 |
Disabled veteran assist./tax |
S State Govt/Tri |
O'Ban |
|
|
|
SB 5900 |
LGBTQ coordinator/veterans |
S Ways & Means |
Randall |
|
|
|
SB 6116 |
HB 2185(H Coll & Wkf Dev) |
Higher ed residency/military |
S Higher Ed & Wo |
O'Ban |
Jan 23 Public hearing |
|
SB 6183 |
Elections/common access card |
S State Govt/Tri |
Hunt |
Jan 15 Public hearing |
|
|
SB 6199 |
Prop. tax exemp./inflation |
S Ways & Means |
Braun |
|
|
|
SB 6338 |
HB 2487(H State Govt & T) |
Veterans' scoring criteria |
S State Govt/Tri |
Wagoner |
|
|
SB 6418 |
HB 2655(H Approps) |
Pensions/"period of war" |
S Ways & Means |
Holy |
Jan 27 Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
SB 6433 |
HB 2187(H Trans) |
Women veterans license plate |
S Transportation |
Rolfes |
|
|
SB 6465 |
Occupational licensing |
S Labor & Commer |
Wilson |
Jan 27 Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
UPDATE- VA-DOD Expanded Patronage
DoD Expanding Veteran Access to Military Services
The Defense Department recently announced expanded commissary, military service exchange and MWR access Jan. 1 and established a standard for physical access to military installations. Below are the top 10 questions Veterans have asked the Defense Department about the expanded access. For more information on expanded access, call Military One Source at 1-800-342-9647.
Kilauea Military Camp
On your next vacation to Hawaii, if you are looking for a unique and nostalgic stay, take a look at the Kileaua Military Camp on the Big Island of Hawaii. Only for military and veterans (you do not have to be retired). Just show proof of service, which can be “VETERAN” on your driver’s license, a DD214, VA card, or military ID. That’s it.
The camp is ON the volcano in the National Volcano Park, so it is quite neat. The website for information and reservations is: http://kilaueamilitarycamp.com/. The base is reminiscint of way-back-when, including the chow hall, and worthy of an overnight stay if you will be in Hawaii.
Invitation to a Veteran's Appreciation dinner on November 11
|
USMC SUPPORT GROUP OF WASHINGTON |
|
The Support Group staff has just been made aware of the following event that may be of interest to some members. The UW Bothel Rotaract Club (affiliated with the Rotary Club) is hosting a Veteran's Appreciation Dinner on Monday November 11 from 6-8 PM on the 75th floor of the Columbia Tower in downtown Seattle. Specific information can be found at the following website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ This is a free event, but they are asking for donations of unopened toys for the Toys for Tots program.
The Support Group Staff |
|
Website: www.wamarines.org Mailing Address: 3006 Northrup Way, Ste. 301, Bellevue, WA 98004-1445 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
VA realigns police operations to promote oversight and standardization
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 25, 2019
VA realigns police operations to promote oversight and standardization
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) approved plans recently to realign the structure of its police force.
The move follows several months of comprehensive analysis of the department’s law enforcement procedures and serves as a critical step forward in implementing the recommendations made by the Office of Inspector General and Government Accountability Office.
“The realignment will be the most extensive since the creation of the police force and will fundamentally change standardization and oversight across the enterprise,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “This highlights my commitment to the high standards of professionalism and transparency across the department.”
The changes will include:
- Implementing a police national governance body that will incorporate all department stakeholders to effectively manage and oversee policy issues.
- Creating a police modernization office specifically charted to develop and implement uniformed standards and address staffing challenges.
- Dividing the VA police force into four multi-state regions under the head of a regional law enforcement director. The regional director will serve as the gateway official providing strategic direction from the VA Office of Operations, Security and Preparedness to the field operating offices.
- Placing a police chief in each of the 18 Veteran Integrated Service Networks who will be under the oversight of the Office of Operations, Security and Preparedness and will provide direct guidance of law enforcement operations and compliance.
The district and regional law enforcement directors will be department assets placed in the field for greater accountability and oversight of the police program. These changes reaffirm that safety and security are paramount to the Department. VA will continually implement solutions that assure a safe environment for Veterans, staff, and visitors.
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VA Stories of Note: Oct. 19 – Oct. 25, 2019
Nextgov, Oct. 23: How VA Gets Innovators to Focus on Veterans’ Challenges
Hackathons—and the meaningful strategic partnerships they can spark—help the Veterans Affairs Department turn innovation that only seems imaginable into reality, a VA official said Tuesday. At the Veteran Health Administration’s second annual Innovation Experience event in Washington, Suzanne Shirley, an entrepreneur-in-residence through the VHA’s Innovation Ecosystem, highlighted some of the impacts the solution-centered hacks have inspired over the last year.
KRGV (ABC-5, Video) (Weslaco, Texas), Oct. 23: VA Now Using Video Games to Help Rehabilitate Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs is now using video games to help rehabilitate veterans. The VA partnered with Microsoft back in May. Microsoft donated more than 170 controllers specifically designed for people with limited mobility, giving disabled veterans a way to play again and help them cope with life after service.
Muskogee Phoenix (Muskogee, Okla.), Oct. 23: Veterans can enroll in VA’s Million Veteran Program online
Veterans can now join the Million Veteran Program online (MVP) as part of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) effort to improve the lives of veterans through health care research and innovation. More than 775,000 veterans have already joined MVP, a national, voluntary, research initiative that helps VA study how genes affect the health of Veterans.
KPAC (NPR-90.1, Audio) (San Antonio, Texas), Oct. 22: As Veterans' Cemeteries Run Out Of Space, The VA Is Providing An Alternative To Burials
For the first time in decades, veterans and local military families have access to a final resting place alongside fellow servicemembers in the city of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles National Cemetery, closed to new burials since 1978, is once again accepting applications for interment, as the Department of Veterans Affairs pursues new options for veterans cemeteries that have run out of real estate for gravesites.
FOX News, Oct. 20: Vietnam Marine veteran in New Mexico hospice care reunites with beloved dog one last time
A New Mexico veteran who served with the Marines in Vietnam said a final goodbye last week to the beloved dog he had to put up for adoption when he entered hospice care. John Vincent was reunited with Patch, a 5-year-old Yorkie, for one last time Thursday at the Hospice Center at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center in Albuquerque, according to reports.
Military Times, Oct. 21: More questions answered as installations get ready for the potential 3 million extra shoppers
A little more than two months before a new shopping benefit takes effect for about 3 million newly eligible shoppers, defense officials have tested and rolled out the system that will allow these shoppers through the gates.
Patient Engagement HIT (Danvers, Mass.), Oct. 21: VA Expands Care Access, Suicide Prevention to National Guard
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) have partnered to expand patient access to mental healthcare and suicide prevention education materials, according to an agency press release.
Chicago Crusader (Chicago, Ill.), Oct. 21: The VA’s radical redesigning of its healthcare delivery system
The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, is leading the mission to reform healthcare by moving from traditional, disease-focused care to the Whole Health Systems (WHS) model. The WHS model asks veterans to place their visions of well-being at the center of their care.
Military Times, Oct. 18: Community partners and support key to veteran suicide prevention
As the leaders of the Veterans Health Administration and the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) Task Force, we fear the oft-repeated, “one suicide is too many” will one day lose its impact.