Assembly committee releases A4712 to create veteran advocate office after advocates cite abuse and gaps in care

A committee of the New Jersey Assembly voted unanimously to release A4712, a bill that would establish an Office of the Veteran Advocate (an ombudsman) within the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, after advocates described failures in oversight at state veteran homes and urged stronger outreach to veterans at risk of homelessness.

Jay Boxwell, past state commander and legislative director for the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars, told the committee the office is needed to investigate complaints, enforce standards and address ‘‘abuse and neglect of veterans under state supervision.’’ He said a Department of Justice investigation found civil‑rights violations at two veteran homes and cited a string of incidents at Menlo Park, including patients denied life‑sustaining treatments, unanswered call bells and widespread black mold. "It was no easy task to try to get this resolved," Boxwell said of efforts to help one resident, and he urged the creation of an independent advocate with subpoena authority to ensure complaints are pursued.

The bill, as described to the…