This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to share veteran contact information with state agencies for outreach purposes, while establishing strict privacy protections and providing veterans with an easy opt-out process.
Catherine Cortez Masto
Senator
NV
The Empowering States to Serve Veterans Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to share veteran contact information with state agencies to improve outreach and support services. The bill includes strict privacy protections, prohibiting the sharing of sensitive personal or medical data and requiring states to maintain rigorous cybersecurity standards. Veterans are provided with clear notice and the right to opt out of this information sharing at any time.
VA to Share Contact Data with States for Veteran Outreach: New Privacy Safeguards and Opt-Out Rights Start Next Year
The Empowering States to Serve Veterans Act aims to bridge the gap between federal records and local support by requiring the VA to hand over veteran contact info to state agencies at least every three months. The goal is simple: make sure the people running state-level programs actually know who the veterans in their backyard are so they can pitch relevant benefits and services. It’s a move designed to turn the 'I didn't know that program existed' conversation into a proactive reach-out from the state government.
The Privacy Firewall
Because nobody wants the government passing around their sensitive files, Section 2 of the bill draws a hard line on what stays private. The VA is strictly forbidden from sharing your Social Security number, date of birth, medical records, or disability ratings. Think of it as a digital phone book rather than a deep dive into your history; states get enough to find you, but not enough to see your private claims or financial status. Furthermore, state agencies are legally barred from selling this data or passing it to third parties, and they have to prove their cybersecurity is up to federal snuff before the VA sends a single byte of data.
Your Data, Your Choice
If you aren't interested in more mail or phone calls from the state, the bill builds in a clear 'exit' button. The VA has to send out a notice—both on paper and digitally—explaining that your info is being shared and giving you a way to opt out. For those already out of the service, you’ll get this notice 45 days before the first data transfer; for those currently serving, it happens right as you transition to civilian life. The bill mandates a toll-free number and an online form to make opting out as painless as possible. If you decide to opt out later, any state agency that already has your info is required to hit the 'delete' key immediately.
From Federal Files to Local Front Doors
This change matters because state-level veterans' agencies often provide specific perks—like property tax breaks, tuition assistance, or local job placement—that the federal VA doesn't handle. For a veteran working construction or managing a retail shop, this could mean getting a letter about a state-specific benefit they actually qualify for but never knew existed. While the bill sets a one-year deadline for these rules to kick in, it gives the VA 180 days to write the fine print on how the opt-out system and security audits will work, ensuring the infrastructure is ready before the data starts moving.