The department is responsible for:
A. assisting veterans and their surviving spouses, children and gold star parents in the preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims against the United States arising by reason of military or naval service;
B. assisting veterans and their surviving spouses, children and gold star parents in establishing the rights and the procurement of benefits that have accrued or may accrue to them pursuant to state law;
C. disseminating information regarding laws beneficial to veterans and their surviving spouses, children and gold star parents; and
D. cooperating with agencies of the United States that are or may be established for the beneficial interest of veterans, to which end the department may enter into agreements or contracts with the United States for the purpose of protecting or procuring rights or benefits for veterans.
History: Laws 2004, ch. 19, § 7; 2017, ch. 84, § 3.
The 2017 amendment, effective July 1, 2017, provided that the veterans' services department is responsible for assisting gold star parents in the preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims against the United States arising by reason of military or naval service, in establishing the rights and the procurement of benefits that have accrued or may accrue to them pursuant to state law, and for disseminating information regarding laws beneficial to gold star parents; in Subsections A, B and C, after "surviving spouses", deleted "and their", and after "children", added "and gold star parents"; in Subsection B, after "assisting veterans", added "and"; and in Subsection C, after "beneficial to veterans", added "and".
Structure 2021 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 9 - Executive Department
Article 22 - Veterans' Services Department
Section 9-22-4 - Department established.
Section 9-22-5 - Secretary of veterans' services; appointment.
Section 9-22-6 - Secretary; duties and general powers.
Section 9-22-7 - Department responsibilities.
Section 9-22-9 - Divisions; directors.
Section 9-22-10 - Bureaus; chiefs.
Section 9-22-11 - Administrative services division; duties.
Section 9-22-12 - Field services division; powers and duties.
Section 9-22-12.1 - Health care coordination division.
Section 9-22-13 - State approving bureau.
Section 9-22-14 - State benefits division.
Section 9-22-14.1 - Veterans' enterprise fund; purpose; administration.
Section 9-22-16 - Power to act as a personal representative or conservator.
Section 9-22-17 - Court proceedings for appointment as personal representative or conservator.
Section 9-22-18 - Action as a personal representative or conservator; bond.