WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) yesterday applauded the Senate’s unanimous passage of S. 946, the Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act. The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to hire additional Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) specialists to ensure veterans who become involved in the criminal justice system have greater access to treatment courts. A companion bill was also introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.).

The treatment court model removes veterans from the regular criminal justice process and helps to address symptoms that are unique to veterans, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse. In a veterans treatment court, the presiding judge works alongside the veteran and the VJO specialist to establish a structured rehabilitation program tailored to fit the veteran’s specific needs.

“More than a half million veterans call Arizona home, and it is important that we provide them with the best assistance possible when their transition back to civilian life is met with challenges,” said Flake. “While veterans treatment courts have a proven record of reducing recidivism rates, they are underutilized due to a lack of VJO specialists nationwide. This bill will provide Veterans Treatment Courts with the necessary resources and manpower to deliver tailored and effective treatment to the veterans who need it.”

“Many veterans face serious challenges when transitioning to civilian life and, as a nation, we have a solemn obligation to provide them with the resources they need to thrive and succeed,” said McCain. “The Veterans Treatment Courts in Arizona provide veterans critical access to rehabilitation and treatment while driving important cost savings for taxpayers in our communities. I thank my colleagues for supporting our legislation ensuring Veterans Treatment Courts have much-needed resources to expand their services and offer tailored treatment options to our nation’s veterans.”

“Veterans Treatment Courts have been extraordinarily successful in helping hundreds of Montana veterans get the specific and specialized assistance they need to get back on their feet,” said Tester. “Our bill will put more resources in Montana and across America helping veterans address the root causes of substance abuse and get the mental health care they need.”

“Veterans who have served our nation should know their country stands by their side during their time of need. Adjusting back to civilian life after the military is one of toughest challenges facing our veterans today and regrettably, some get caught up in the criminal justice system, often due to undiagnosed or untreated service related issues,” said Coffman. “That is why I joined Senator Flake in leading the charge on this legislation. I applaud his legislative efforts in the Senate to help these service members as they navigate the criminal justice system and improve the Veteran Treatment Courts program."

The text of the Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act can be found here.

Background:

• On December 18, 2017, Flake wrote VA Secretary David Shulkin with regards to the lack of Department support for S. 946 and to request information on reductions in VA funding.
• On April 19, 2017, Flake and Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich wrote an op-ed for The Arizona Republic on the need for expanding the veteran treatment court system. Read the op-ed here.
• On April 11, 2017, Flake and Brnovich visited the Mesa Municipal Court to observe the court’s veterans docket. During the visit, Flake and Brnovich met with several dedicated VJO specialists who are responsible for connecting veterans to available veterans treatment court services under the VJO program.  

Support:

Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act is supported by the American Legion, American Veterans (AMVETS) , Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Justice for Vets, Student Veterans of America, Addiction Haven, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, National District Attorneys Association, Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council, Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Coconino County Attorney’s Office, Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Pima County Attorney’s Office, Wounded Warrior Project, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Arizona (VFWAZ).

View the VFW’s letter of support here.
View the Pima County Attorney’s Office letter of support here.
View the PVA’s letter of support here.
View the National District Attorneys Association letter of support here.
View the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office letter of support here.
View the Coconino County Attorney’s Office letter of support here.
View the VFWAZ’s letter of support here.
View the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council’s letter of support here.
View the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys’ letter of support here.
View the Arizona Attorney General’s Office’s letter of support here.

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