Committee advances bill letting Department of Veterans Services obtain certified vital records to help veterans apply for benefits

The full committee approved House Bill 2748 on a 17-0 roll call after adopting an incorporation motion and will send the measure to the Appropriations Committee.

The bill would allow the Virginia Department of Veterans Services to directly access certified copies of vital records, including death certificates, to assist veterans and survivors in applying for veterans' benefits.

Supporters told the committee the change would simplify a paperwork-heavy process. "We provide care coordination, peer recovery support, and suicide prevention efforts. DVS supports the bill," said Brandy Jankaitis, who leads the Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.

Jankaitis told the panel that quicker access to vital records would improve customer service and help the department's suicide-prevention work, including grant-funded efforts with community partners that assist military-connected citizens.

The bill's patron, identified at the hearing as Doug Alofa, was present when the committee took up the measure. Committee procedure records show members voted to incorporate a similar Senate bill into HB 2748 before taking the roll call. The clerk recorded the final vote as 17 in favor, none opposed.

There were no speakers recorded in opposition, and no further amendments were made on the floor of the full committee. With the committee vote complete, the measure will advance to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

The committee's clerk recorded the roll and announced the 17-0 tally before moving on to subcommittee reports.