The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday approved bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) to help rehabilitate American military veterans who commit non-violent crimes while transitioning to civilian life.
“I’m grateful to my colleagues for joining us to pass this important, bipartisan bill,” Rep. Stefanik said, “and am proud to support our veterans in every way that I possibly can.”
Rep. Stefanik is the lead original cosponsor of the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2019, H.R. 886, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL) and 134 other cosponsors.
If enacted, H.R. 886 would establish a Veteran Treatment Court Program within the U.S. Department of Justice, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, that would provide grants, training and technical assistance to support state, local and tribal governments in developing and maintaining veteran treatment courts.
“It is incumbent on Congress to make sure our veterans receive the best possible treatment when they return home from serving our country,” said Rep. Stefanik. “Unfortunately, due to the stressors and psychological impact of their service, some veterans become entangled in the criminal justice system.”
H.R. 886 was reintroduced in January and two weeks ago received approval by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.
The U.S. Senate received the bill on Tuesday and has referred it for consideration to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.