PRIA Logo™
119-s-5328119th CongressWALLET

Empowering States to Serve Veterans Act

Sponsored By: Senator Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

Introduced

Summary

Sharing limited veterans' contact information with State veterans agencies for outreach and statistics. The bill would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide contact lists at least quarterly while excluding sensitive records and giving veterans a clear opt-out and privacy protections.

Show full summary
  • Veterans: Get notice and a simple opt-out. Notice must be given at least 45 days before initial transfer for existing veterans and at transition for separating service members, and an opt-out halts sharing and requires destruction of any copies.
  • State veterans agencies: Would receive quarterly contact lists for outreach and statistical analysis but only non-sensitive contact data. They must not sell, transfer, disclose to third parties, or publish the information and must meet federal-style cybersecurity and certification or audit requirements.
  • Oversight and VA duties: The Secretary must verify state security compliance before sharing and may withhold data from states that cannot demonstrate adequate protections. The Secretary must issue implementing regulations within 180 days and most provisions take effect one year after enactment.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Veterans' notice and opt-out rights

If enacted, the VA would notify veterans in paper and electronic messages that their contact information may be shared and that they may opt out. For veterans who are already veterans on the enactment date, notice would go out at least 45 days before the first transfer. For service members, notice would occur when they transition from military service. The VA would provide an online opt-out form and a toll-free number, and any veteran who opts out would have their information excluded and destroyed by state agencies unless they later consent.

State access to veterans' contact info

If enacted, the VA would provide each State veterans agency with contact information for veterans at least once every three months. Sharing would start one year after enactment and the VA would issue rules within 180 days to govern how sharing works. The VA would not include sensitive items like protected health information, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, financial data, disability ratings, or claims or appeals information. The VA would also use a statutory definition of which state offices count as a "State veterans agency."

State agencies must meet cybersecurity

If enacted, State veterans agencies would need data protection and cybersecurity measures that match Federal standards before the VA would share contact information. The VA would require proof of compliance and could refuse to share with agencies that do not demonstrate adequate security. The VA would also require certifications or audits to ensure ongoing compliance. These rules would take effect one year after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

NV • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 8/6/2026

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 8/6/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation