{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/2.2-2004.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/2.2-2004.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/2.2-2004.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/2.2-2004.html"}],"law_id":85959,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85959,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2004","catch_line":"Additional powers and duties of Commissioner","history":"2003, cc. 657, 670; 2008, cc. 467, 768; 2010, c. 534; 2011, cc. 780, 858; 2012, cc. 803, 835; 2013, c. 234; 2014, cc. 115, 490; 2018, c. 648; 2023, cc. 246, 247; 2025, cc. 245, 235.","full_text":"The Commissioner shall have the following powers and duties related to veterans services:\n\n1\n\nPerform an annual cost-benefit and value analysis of (i) existing programs and services and (ii) new programs and services before establishing and implementing them and report the results of such analysis to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs;2\n\nSeek alternative funding sources for the Department’s veterans service programs;3\n\nCooperate with all relevant entities of the federal government, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and U.S. Department of Labor in matters concerning veterans benefits and services;4\n\nAppoint a full-time coordinator to collaborate with the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations created in § 2.2-2681 on ways to provide both direct and indirect support of ongoing veterans programs, and to determine and address future veterans needs and concerns;5\n\nInitiate, conduct, and issue special studies on matters pertaining to veterans needs and priorities, as determined necessary by the Commissioner;6\n\nEvaluate veterans service efforts, practices, and programs of the agencies, political subdivisions, or other entities and organizations of the government of the Commonwealth and make recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly on ways to increase awareness of the services available to veterans or improve veterans services;7\n\nAssist entities of state government and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth in enhancing their efforts to provide services to veterans, those members of the Virginia National Guard, Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves who qualify for veteran status, and their immediate family members, including the dissemination of relevant materials and the rendering of technical or other advice;8\n\nAssist counties, cities, and towns of the Commonwealth in the development, implementation, and review of local veterans services programs as part of the state program and establish as necessary, in consultation with the Board of Veterans Services and the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations, volunteer local and regional advisory committees to assist and support veterans service efforts;9\n\nReview the activities, roles, and contributions of various entities and organizations to the Commonwealth’s veterans services programs and report on or before December 1 of each year in writing to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly on the status, progress, and prospects of veterans services in the Commonwealth, including performance measures and outcomes of veterans services programs;10\n\nRecommend to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly any corrective measures, policies, procedures, plans, and programs to make service to Virginia-domiciled veterans and their eligible spouses, orphans, and dependents as efficient and effective as practicable;11\n\nDesign, implement, administer, and review, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, special programs or projects needed to promote veterans services in the Commonwealth;12\n\nIntegrate veterans services activities into the framework of economic development activities in general;13\n\nManage operational funds using accepted accounting principles and practices in order to provide for a sum sufficient to ensure continued, uninterrupted operations;14\n\nEngage Department personnel in training and educational activities aimed at enhancing veterans services;15\n\nDevelop a strategic plan to ensure efficient and effective utilization of resources, programs, and services;16\n\nCertify eligibility for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program and perform other duties related to such Program as outlined in § 23.1-608;17\n\nEstablish and implement a compact with Virginia’s veterans, which shall have a goal of making Virginia America’s most veteran-friendly state. The compact shall be established in conjunction with the Board of Veterans Services and supported by the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations and shall (i) include specific provisions for technology advances, workforce development, outreach, quality of life enhancement, and other services for veterans and (ii) provide service standards and goals to be attained for each specific provision in clause (i). The provisions of the compact shall be reviewed and updated annually. The Commissioner shall include in the annual report required by this section the progress of veterans services established in the compact;18\n\nAssist the Department of Corrections, sheriffs, and local and regional jails in utilizing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Re-Entry Search Services system, with the goal of (i) identifying veterans incarcerated in state prisons and local and regional jails, (ii) helping such veterans prepare for release or reentry, (iii) reducing the rates of recidivism and homelessness, (iv) connecting such veterans to resources to address the challenges of post-traumatic stress disorder, and (v) diverting eligible veterans to treatment dockets. The Department shall coordinate with the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, the Virginia Association of Regional Jails, the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court, the Department of Criminal Justice Services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, community partners, district and circuit courts, and other stakeholders as necessary; and19\n\nProvide the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly with an overview of the activities of the Military Spouse Liaison, as outlined in § 2.2-2002.2, including any legislative recommendations, on or before December 1 of each year.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":307860,"text":"The Commissioner shall have the following powers and duties related to veterans services:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":307861,"text":"Perform an annual cost-benefit and value analysis of (i) existing programs and services and (ii) new programs and services before establishing and implementing them and report the results of such analysis to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":307862,"text":"Seek alternative funding sources for the Department’s veterans service programs;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":307863,"text":"Cooperate with all relevant entities of the federal government, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and U.S. Department of Labor in matters concerning veterans benefits and services;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":307864,"text":"Appoint a full-time coordinator to collaborate with the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations created in § 2.2-2681 on ways to provide both direct and indirect support of ongoing veterans programs, and to determine and address future veterans needs and concerns;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":307865,"text":"Initiate, conduct, and issue special studies on matters pertaining to veterans needs and priorities, as determined necessary by the Commissioner;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":307866,"text":"Evaluate veterans service efforts, practices, and programs of the agencies, political subdivisions, or other entities and organizations of the government of the Commonwealth and make recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly on ways to increase awareness of the services available to veterans or improve veterans services;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":307867,"text":"Assist entities of state government and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth in enhancing their efforts to provide services to veterans, those members of the Virginia National Guard, Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves who qualify for veteran status, and their immediate family members, including the dissemination of relevant materials and the rendering of technical or other advice;","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":307868,"text":"Assist counties, cities, and towns of the Commonwealth in the development, implementation, and review of local veterans services programs as part of the state program and establish as necessary, in consultation with the Board of Veterans Services and the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations, volunteer local and regional advisory committees to assist and support veterans service efforts;","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":307869,"text":"Review the activities, roles, and contributions of various entities and organizations to the Commonwealth’s veterans services programs and report on or before December 1 of each year in writing to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly on the status, progress, and prospects of veterans services in the Commonwealth, including performance measures and outcomes of veterans services programs;","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"10"},"10":{"id":307870,"text":"Recommend to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly any corrective measures, policies, procedures, plans, and programs to make service to Virginia-domiciled veterans and their eligible spouses, orphans, and dependents as efficient and effective as practicable;","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9","next_prefix":"11"},"11":{"id":307871,"text":"Design, implement, administer, and review, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, special programs or projects needed to promote veterans services in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"11","prefix_anchor":"11","level":1,"prior_prefix":"10","next_prefix":"12"},"12":{"id":307872,"text":"Integrate veterans services activities into the framework of economic development activities in general;","type":"section","prefixes":["12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"12","prefix_anchor":"12","level":1,"prior_prefix":"11","next_prefix":"13"},"13":{"id":307873,"text":"Manage operational funds using accepted accounting principles and practices in order to provide for a sum sufficient to ensure continued, uninterrupted operations;","type":"section","prefixes":["13"],"prefix":"13","entire_prefix":"13","prefix_anchor":"13","level":1,"prior_prefix":"12","next_prefix":"14"},"14":{"id":307874,"text":"Engage Department personnel in training and educational activities aimed at enhancing veterans services;","type":"section","prefixes":["14"],"prefix":"14","entire_prefix":"14","prefix_anchor":"14","level":1,"prior_prefix":"13","next_prefix":"15"},"15":{"id":307875,"text":"Develop a strategic plan to ensure efficient and effective utilization of resources, programs, and services;","type":"section","prefixes":["15"],"prefix":"15","entire_prefix":"15","prefix_anchor":"15","level":1,"prior_prefix":"14","next_prefix":"16"},"16":{"id":307876,"text":"Certify eligibility for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program and perform other duties related to such Program as outlined in § 23.1-608;","type":"section","prefixes":["16"],"prefix":"16","entire_prefix":"16","prefix_anchor":"16","level":1,"prior_prefix":"15","next_prefix":"17"},"17":{"id":307877,"text":"Establish and implement a compact with Virginia’s veterans, which shall have a goal of making Virginia America’s most veteran-friendly state. The compact shall be established in conjunction with the Board of Veterans Services and supported by the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations and shall (i) include specific provisions for technology advances, workforce development, outreach, quality of life enhancement, and other services for veterans and (ii) provide service standards and goals to be attained for each specific provision in clause (i). The provisions of the compact shall be reviewed and updated annually. The Commissioner shall include in the annual report required by this section the progress of veterans services established in the compact;","type":"section","prefixes":["17"],"prefix":"17","entire_prefix":"17","prefix_anchor":"17","level":1,"prior_prefix":"16","next_prefix":"18"},"18":{"id":307878,"text":"Assist the Department of Corrections, sheriffs, and local and regional jails in utilizing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Re-Entry Search Services system, with the goal of (i) identifying veterans incarcerated in state prisons and local and regional jails, (ii) helping such veterans prepare for release or reentry, (iii) reducing the rates of recidivism and homelessness, (iv) connecting such veterans to resources to address the challenges of post-traumatic stress disorder, and (v) diverting eligible veterans to treatment dockets. The Department shall coordinate with the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, the Virginia Association of Regional Jails, the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court, the Department of Criminal Justice Services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, community partners, district and circuit courts, and other stakeholders as necessary; and","type":"section","prefixes":["18"],"prefix":"18","entire_prefix":"18","prefix_anchor":"18","level":1,"prior_prefix":"17","next_prefix":"19"},"19":{"id":307879,"text":"Provide the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly with an overview of the activities of the Military Spouse Liaison, as outlined in § 2.2-2002.2, including any legislative recommendations, on or before December 1 of each year.","type":"section","prefixes":["19"],"prefix":"19","entire_prefix":"19","prefix_anchor":"19","level":1,"prior_prefix":"18"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14487,"edition_id":1,"name":"Department of Veterans Services","identifier":"20","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13092,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:19","permalink":{"id":173365,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14487,"identifier":"20","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20","url":"\/2.2\/I\/C\/20\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13092,"edition_id":1,"name":"State Agencies Related to the General Operation of Government","identifier":"C","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12784,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:16","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:16","permalink":{"id":172453,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13092,"identifier":"C","token":"2.2\/I\/C","url":"\/2.2\/I\/C\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12784,"edition_id":1,"name":"Organization of State Government","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12749,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":171455,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12784,"identifier":"I","token":"2.2\/I","url":"\/2.2\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12749,"edition_id":1,"name":"Administration of Government","identifier":"2.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":171453,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12749,"identifier":"2.2","token":"2.2","url":"\/2.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":74758,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2000","catch_line":"Department of Veterans Services created; appointment of Commissioner","url":"\/2.2-2000\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2000","metadata":false},{"id":72596,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2000.1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/2.2-2000.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2000.1","metadata":false},{"id":68636,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2001","catch_line":"Administrative responsibilities of the Department; annual report","url":"\/2.2-2001\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2001","metadata":false},{"id":68650,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2001.1","catch_line":"Program for mental health and rehabilitative services","url":"\/2.2-2001.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2001.1","metadata":false},{"id":73532,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2001.2","catch_line":"Initiatives to reduce unemployment among veterans and military spouses; comprehensive transition program","url":"\/2.2-2001.2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2001.2","metadata":false},{"id":83697,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2001.3","catch_line":"Virginia War Memorial division","url":"\/2.2-2001.3\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2001.3","metadata":false},{"id":83940,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2001.4","catch_line":"Military medical personnel; program","url":"\/2.2-2001.4\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2001.4","metadata":false},{"id":81485,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2001.5","catch_line":"Assignment of right to receive veterans' benefits","url":"\/2.2-2001.5\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2001.5","metadata":false},{"id":75525,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2001.6","catch_line":"Eligibility for veteran status under state and local laws; change in treatment of certain discharges","url":"\/2.2-2001.6\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2001.6","metadata":false},{"id":65761,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2002","catch_line":"Department offices","url":"\/2.2-2002\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2002","metadata":false},{"id":60867,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2002.1","catch_line":"Department personnel","url":"\/2.2-2002.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2002.1","metadata":false},{"id":84545,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2002.2","catch_line":"Military Spouse Liaison; position created; duties; report","url":"\/2.2-2002.2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2002.2","metadata":false},{"id":74203,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2003","catch_line":"General powers of Commissioner","url":"\/2.2-2003\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2003","metadata":false},{"id":85959,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2004","catch_line":"Additional powers and duties of Commissioner","url":"\/2.2-2004\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2004","metadata":false},{"id":85987,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2004.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/2.2-2004.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2004.1","metadata":false},{"id":55886,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2004.2","catch_line":"Suicide Prevention Coordinator; position created; duties; report","url":"\/2.2-2004.2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2004.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":74203,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2003","catch_line":"General powers of Commissioner","url":"\/2.2-2003\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2003","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":85987,"structure_id":14487,"section_number":"2.2-2004.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/2.2-2004.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2004.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/2.2-2004\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2003. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 657<\/a> and 670<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 9 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2008, chapters 467<\/a> and 768<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 534<\/a>; in 2011, chapters 780<\/a> and 858<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 803<\/a> and 835<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 234<\/a>; in 2014, chapters 115<\/a> and 490<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 648<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 246<\/a> and 247<\/a>; in 2025, chapters 245<\/a> and 235<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":68650,"section_number":"2.2-2001.1","catch_line":"Program for mental health and rehabilitative services","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2001.1\/"},{"id":55886,"section_number":"2.2-2004.2","catch_line":"Suicide Prevention Coordinator; position created; duties; report","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2004.2\/"},{"id":67057,"section_number":"23.1-608","catch_line":"Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program; tuition and fee waivers","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-608\/"},{"id":84803,"section_number":"23.1-608.1","catch_line":"Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Fund; stipends","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-608.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":84545,"section_number":"2.2-2002.2","catch_line":"Military Spouse Liaison; position created; duties; report","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2002.2\/"},{"id":66456,"section_number":"2.2-2681","catch_line":"Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations; membership; terms; chairman; quorum; compensation","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2681\/"},{"id":67057,"section_number":"23.1-608","catch_line":"Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program; tuition and fee waivers","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-608\/"}],"permalink":{"id":173419,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85959,"identifier":"2.2-2004","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2004","url":"\/2.2-2004\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/2.2-2004\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/20\/2.2-2004","dublin_core":{"Title":"Additional powers and duties of Commissioner","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 2.2-2004","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Commissioner<\/span> shall have the following powers and duties related to veterans<\/span> services:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Perform an annual cost-benefit and value analysis of (i) existing programs and services and (ii) new programs and services before establishing and implementing them and report the results of such analysis to the Secretary of Veterans<\/span> and Defense Affairs; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Seek alternative funding sources for the Department<\/span>’s veterans<\/span> service programs; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Cooperate with all relevant entities of the federal government, including the U.S. Department<\/span> of Veterans<\/span> Affairs, U.S. Department<\/span> of Housing and Urban Development, and U.S. Department<\/span> of Labor in matters concerning veterans<\/span> benefits and services; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Appoint a full-time coordinator to collaborate with the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans<\/span> Service Organizations created in § 2.2-2681<\/a> on ways to provide both direct and indirect support of ongoing veterans<\/span> programs, and to determine and address future veterans<\/span> needs and concerns; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Initiate, conduct, and issue<\/span> special studies on matters pertaining to veterans<\/span> needs and priorities, as determined necessary by the Commissioner<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Evaluate veterans<\/span> service efforts, practices, and programs of the agencies, political subdivisions, or other entities and organizations of the government of the Commonwealth and make recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans<\/span> and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly on ways to increase awareness of the services available to veterans<\/span> or improve veterans<\/span> services; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Assist entities of state government and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth in enhancing their efforts to provide services to veterans<\/span>, those members of the Virginia National Guard, Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves who qualify for veteran<\/span> status, and their immediate family members, including the dissemination of relevant materials<\/span> and the rendering of technical or other advice; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Assist counties, cities, and towns of the Commonwealth in the development, implementation, and review of local veterans<\/span> services programs as part of the state program and establish as necessary, in consultation with the Board of Veterans<\/span> Services and the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans<\/span> Service Organizations, volunteer local and regional advisory committees to assist and support veterans<\/span> service efforts; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Review the activities, roles, and contributions of various entities and organizations to the Commonwealth’s veterans<\/span> services programs and report on or before December 1 of each year in writing to the Secretary of Veterans<\/span> and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly on the status, progress, and prospects of veterans<\/span> services in the Commonwealth, including performance measures and outcomes of veterans<\/span> services programs; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> Recommend to the Secretary of Veterans<\/span> and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly any corrective measures, policies, procedures, plans, and programs to make service to Virginia-domiciled veterans<\/span> and their eligible spouses, orphans, and dependents as efficient and effective as practicable; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> Design, implement, administer, and review, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans<\/span> and Defense Affairs, special programs or projects needed to promote veterans<\/span> services in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> Integrate veterans<\/span> services activities into the framework of economic development activities in general; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

13.<\/span> Manage operational funds using accepted accounting principles and practices in order<\/span> to provide for a sum sufficient to ensure continued, uninterrupted operations; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

14.<\/span> Engage Department<\/span> personnel in training and educational activities aimed at enhancing veterans<\/span> services; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

15.<\/span> Develop a strategic plan to ensure efficient and effective utilization of resources, programs, and services; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

16.<\/span> Certify eligibility for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program and perform other duties related to such Program as outlined in § 23.1-608<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

17.<\/span> Establish and implement a compact with Virginia’s veterans<\/span>, which shall have a goal of making Virginia America’s most veteran<\/span>-friendly state. The compact shall be established in conjunction with the Board of Veterans<\/span> Services and supported by the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans<\/span> Service Organizations and shall (i) include specific provisions for technology advances, workforce development, outreach, quality of life enhancement, and other services for veterans<\/span> and (ii) provide service standards and goals to be attained for each specific provision in clause (i). The provisions of the compact shall be reviewed and updated annually. The Commissioner<\/span> shall include in the annual report required by this section the progress of veterans<\/span> services established in the compact; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

18.<\/span> Assist the Department<\/span> of Corrections, sheriffs, and local and regional jails in utilizing the U.S. Department<\/span> of Veterans<\/span> Affairs’ Veterans<\/span> Re-Entry Search Services system, with the goal of (i) identifying veterans<\/span> incarcerated in state prisons and local and regional jails, (ii) helping such veterans<\/span> prepare for release or reentry, (iii) reducing the rates of recidivism and homelessness, (iv) connecting such veterans<\/span> to resources to address the challenges of post-traumatic stress disorder, and (v) diverting eligible veterans<\/span> to treatment dockets<\/span>. The Department<\/span> shall coordinate with the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, the Virginia Association of Regional Jails, the Secretary of Veterans<\/span> and Defense Affairs, the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court<\/span>, the Department<\/span> of Criminal Justice Services, the U.S. Department<\/span> of Veterans<\/span> Affairs, community partners, district and circuit<\/span> courts<\/span>, and other stakeholders as necessary; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

19.<\/span> Provide the Secretary of Veterans<\/span> and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly with an overview of the activities of the Military Spouse Liaison, as outlined in § 2.2-2002.2<\/a>, including any legislative recommendations, on or before December 1 of each year. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nADDITIONAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER (\u00a7 2.2-2004)\n\nThe Commissioner shall have the following powers and duties related to veterans\nservices:\n\n1. Perform an annual cost-benefit and value analysis of (i) existing programs\nand services and (ii) new programs and services before establishing and\nimplementing them and report the results of such analysis to the Secretary of\nVeterans and Defense Affairs;\n\n2. Seek alternative funding sources for the Department’s veterans service\nprograms;\n\n3. Cooperate with all relevant entities of the federal government, including the\nU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban\nDevelopment, and U.S. Department of Labor in matters concerning veterans\nbenefits and services;\n\n4. Appoint a full-time coordinator to collaborate with the Joint Leadership\nCouncil of Veterans Service Organizations created in § 2.2-2681 on ways to\nprovide both direct and indirect support of ongoing veterans programs, and to\ndetermine and address future veterans needs and concerns;\n\n5. Initiate, conduct, and issue special studies on matters pertaining to\nveterans needs and priorities, as determined necessary by the Commissioner;\n\n6. Evaluate veterans service efforts, practices, and programs of the agencies,\npolitical subdivisions, or other entities and organizations of the government of\nthe Commonwealth and make recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans and\nDefense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly on ways to increase\nawareness of the services available to veterans or improve veterans services;\n\n7. Assist entities of state government and political subdivisions of the\nCommonwealth in enhancing their efforts to provide services to veterans, those\nmembers of the Virginia National Guard, Virginia residents in the Armed Forces\nReserves who qualify for veteran status, and their immediate family members,\nincluding the dissemination of relevant materials and the rendering of technical\nor other advice;\n\n8. Assist counties, cities, and towns of the Commonwealth in the development,\nimplementation, and review of local veterans services programs as part of the\nstate program and establish as necessary, in consultation with the Board of\nVeterans Services and the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service\nOrganizations, volunteer local and regional advisory committees to assist and\nsupport veterans service efforts;\n\n9. Review the activities, roles, and contributions of various entities and\norganizations to the Commonwealth’s veterans services programs and report\non or before December 1 of each year in writing to the Secretary of Veterans and\nDefense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly on the status, progress,\nand prospects of veterans services in the Commonwealth, including performance\nmeasures and outcomes of veterans services programs;\n\n10. Recommend to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Governor,\nand the General Assembly any corrective measures, policies, procedures, plans,\nand programs to make service to Virginia-domiciled veterans and their eligible\nspouses, orphans, and dependents as efficient and effective as practicable;\n\n11. Design, implement, administer, and review, in consultation with the\nSecretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, special programs or projects needed\nto promote veterans services in the Commonwealth;\n\n12. Integrate veterans services activities into the framework of economic\ndevelopment activities in general;\n\n13. Manage operational funds using accepted accounting principles and practices\nin order to provide for a sum sufficient to ensure continued, uninterrupted\noperations;\n\n14. Engage Department personnel in training and educational activities aimed at\nenhancing veterans services;\n\n15. Develop a strategic plan to ensure efficient and effective utilization of\nresources, programs, and services;\n\n16. Certify eligibility for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents\nEducation Program and perform other duties related to such Program as outlined\nin § 23.1-608;\n\n17. Establish and implement a compact with Virginia’s veterans, which\nshall have a goal of making Virginia America’s most veteran-friendly\nstate. The compact shall be established in conjunction with the Board of\nVeterans Services and supported by the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans\nService Organizations and shall (i) include specific provisions for technology\nadvances, workforce development, outreach, quality of life enhancement, and\nother services for veterans and (ii) provide service standards and goals to be\nattained for each specific provision in clause (i). The provisions of the\ncompact shall be reviewed and updated annually. The Commissioner shall include\nin the annual report required by this section the progress of veterans services\nestablished in the compact;\n\n18. Assist the Department of Corrections, sheriffs, and local and regional jails\nin utilizing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Re-Entry\nSearch Services system, with the goal of (i) identifying veterans incarcerated\nin state prisons and local and regional jails, (ii) helping such veterans\nprepare for release or reentry, (iii) reducing the rates of recidivism and\nhomelessness, (iv) connecting such veterans to resources to address the\nchallenges of post-traumatic stress disorder, and (v) diverting eligible\nveterans to treatment dockets. The Department shall coordinate with the Virginia\nSheriffs’ Association, the Virginia Association of Regional Jails, the\nSecretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Secretary of Public Safety and\nHomeland Security, the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court,\nthe Department of Criminal Justice Services, the U.S. Department of Veterans\nAffairs, community partners, district and circuit courts, and other stakeholders\nas necessary; and\n\n19. Provide the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the\nGeneral Assembly with an overview of the activities of the Military Spouse\nLiaison, as outlined in § 2.2-2002.2, including any legislative\nrecommendations, on or before December 1 of each year.\n\nHISTORY: 2003, cc. 657, 670; 2008, cc. 467, 768; 2010, c. 534; 2011, cc. 780,\n858; 2012, cc. 803, 835; 2013, c. 234; 2014, cc. 115, 490; 2018, c. 648; 2023,\ncc. 246, 247; 2025, cc. 245, 235.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}