The state is taking a major step to overhaul how it serves our veterans.

Governor Murphy on Thursday signed a law creating a new standalone Department of Veterans Affairs, a move that comes after both federal and state investigations found substandard care and ongoing neglect at state run veterans homes, where nearly 200 residents died during the early days of the pandemic.

The US Justice Department said the conditions violated constitutional rights and the state paid out millions in legal settlements, prompting a bipartisan call for reforms.

Until now, services for New Jersey veterans were housed under the same department that also managed military operations and the state's National Guard.

The new law, though, splits the agency in two, with separate leadership at each.

Governor Murphy already named his pick to lead the new Veterans Affairs Agency, tapping Army veteran Vincent Solomeno, who currently serves as the Deputy Commissioner at the department.

[ Music ]