OLYMPIA — The state Senate voted unanimously March 2 to pass a bill sponsored by Sen. Jan Angel, R-Port Orchard, to connect veterans with jobs and a peer-to-peer support network.

Angel’s legislation, Senate Bill 5849, will now move on for consideration by the state House.

Angel introduced the measure in the state House in an effort to provide for veterans in the 26th Legislative District and the state, said Jess Hooncoop, the state senator’s spokeswoman. The bill is structured after a successful Texas program that connects veterans to services through a peer-to-peer network.

Hooncoop said the bill would direct the Washington Department of Veteran Affairs to develop a peer-to-peer network to provide veterans with counseling, mental health and other health services.

The bill also directs the state Office of Financial Management to create a veteran recruitment and hiring plan that “recognizes and values the experience veterans offer,” the spokeswoman said.

“I’m always looking for opportunities to help serve our veterans,” Angel said. “Making the transition to civilian life as smooth and successful as possible is critical to the future of these men and women who have served.”