Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed Senate Bill 289, legislation that will establish the Ohio Department of Veterans Services and ensure employment rights to those serving in the uniformed services.

“I am proud that Ohio will have a new department to ensure Ohio’s veterans and their families have one central place to go to access the benefits they deserve,” Strickland said. “The Ohio Department of Veterans Services will be an advocate for Ohio’s veterans in Washington, ensuring our state’s veterans have greater access to federal benefits and programs.”

The new department will assume the duties of the Governor's Office of Veterans Services, including the Ohio Veterans’ Home Agency and the Ohio War Orphans Scholarship Board.

The duties of the current director of the Governor’s Office of Veterans Services will transfer to the new director of the department, who will serve as a member of the governor’s cabinet.

“The new department will work closely with county veterans’ organizations to effectively coordinate and collaborate while providing quality services to Ohio’s veterans as expeditiously as possible,” Strickland said.

The legislation will also provide employment protections for members of the uniformed services or the Ohio organized militia who must take a leave of absence from their job to serve their country. SB 289 offers Ohio soldiers the reinstatement and reemployment rights outlined in the “Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.” Those who are denied a reinstatement or reemployment after military service can be reinstated through the court of common pleas