Ceremonial signing held for Oklahoma Women Veterans Program


OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Mary Fallin recently held a ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 922 directing the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) to establish the Oklahoma Women Veterans Program.  The measure, by Sen. Frank Simpson and Rep. Tommy Hardin, will ensure that women veterans have equitable access to federal and state veterans’ benefits and services. 

“We have a growing women veteran population, and this new program will ensure that their special needs are being met and that they receive the benefits and services they’re entitled to,” said Simpson, R-Springer.  “I want to thank my legislative colleagues for their unanimous approval of this bill in both chambers and for getting it to the governor so quickly. Our veterans deserve only the best, and I’m anxious to see this new program in action helping our women veterans.”  

The program will provide assistance, perform outreach functions and assess the needs of women veterans as well as review programs and other incentives designed to address the needs of women veterans.  It will make recommendations to the executive director of ODVA regarding improvement of benefits and services to women veterans, and incorporate issues concerning women veterans in Department planning. The program will deliver a report biennially on women veterans in the state. 

The new law goes into effect November 1, 2018.