Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the importance of assisting justice-involved veterans.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 698 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the importance of assisting justice-involved veterans. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NOVEMBER 14, 2019 Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma (for herself, Mr. CRENSHAW, Mr. TAKANO, Mr. BRINDISI, Ms. STEFANIK, Mr. ROSE of New York, Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico, Mr. SWALWELL of California, Mr. CASE, Mr. TRONE, and Mr. LARSEN of Washington) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, for a period to be sub- sequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the importance of assisting justice-involved veterans. Whereas almost 200,000 veterans are incarcerated; Whereas more than half of justice-involved veterans have ei- ther a mental health issue or a substance abuse disorder; Whereas a substantial number of justice-involved veterans are homeless or at risk for homelessness; Whereas many veterans have difficulty finding work and re- integrating into society after living in formalized environ- ments; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:52 Nov 14, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR698.IH HR698 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 698 IH Whereas veterans who get involved in the criminal justice sys- tem may be at a higher risk for suicide; Whereas justice-involved veterans in prison cannot receive medical services furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs, but may receive outreach services; Whereas justice-involved veterans have more specialized needs upon reentry into society; Whereas veterans treatment courts serve only veterans who are charged with nonviolent crimes and are in need of mental health or substance abuse treatment; Whereas prosecutors work with defense attorneys to negotiate whether a veteran’s case should be heard in the treat- ment court, and veterans go through counseling funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs; Whereas once the veteran finishes the program, which can last from a few months to years, all charges are dropped; and Whereas only approximately 500 counties have veterans treatment courts: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) supports the expansion of the veterans 2 treatment court program; 3 (2) encourages deeper studies into the efficacy 4 of these programs and best practices; and 5 (3) reaffirms the commitment of the House of 6 Representatives to helping all veterans reintegrating 7 to civilian life. 8 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:52 Nov 14, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR698.IH HR698 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS