Just two months after introducing H.R. 4345, the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act, U.S. Representatives Charlie Crist (D-FL) and Jeff Denham (R-CA) announced it has received the endorsement of the National Military & Veterans Alliance (NMVA).
NMVA – a non-partisan group of military and veterans service organizations – joins American Legion, AMVETS, and Disabled American Veterans in supporting this bipartisan bill to enhance state and local veterans treatment court programs that support the unique needs of veterans who find themselves in the criminal justice system.
“Veteran treatment courts keep many veterans in crisis out of the criminal justice system and get them the help they otherwise might never receive,” said Rep. Denham. “I look forward to continuing to work to get this bipartisan bill passed to give our veterans the support they need and deserve.”
In Congress, the legislation has also gained the support of 47 additional cosponsors from both parties, showing growing momentum behind this effort.
“Our member organizations all recognize the important contributions that your legislation will make to the veteran community,” wrote NMVA Co-Directors Ted S. Painter and Aleks Morosky. “Your legislation will provide a veteran charged with a non-violent crime attributed to their military service the opportunity to receive court-supervised, comprehensive treatment. This will allow veterans to avoid jail time, receive the treatment they need, and have their records expunged upon completing the requirements of a program of treatment facilitated by the VA and supervised by a VTC.”
The Veterans Treatment Court Coordination Act establishes a program within the Department of Justice, in coordination with the VA, to provide grants, training, and technical assistance to help state, local, and tribal governments develop and maintain veterans treatment courts. Currently, these programs are supported by dedicated individuals in law enforcement, the judicial system, the legal community, VA officials, Veterans Service Organizations, and other community organizations.
