I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3721 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 16, 2011 Mr. Meehan (for himself, Mr. Yoder, Mr. Fattah, and Mr. Andrews) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To authorize veterans’ treatment courts and encourage services for veterans through drug courts under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Servicemember Assistance for Lawful Understanding, Treatment, and Education Act or the SALUTE Act.

2.

Grants for veterans courts

(a)

Veterans and drug courts

Section 2951 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797u) is amended— (1)in subsection (a)— (A)in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking and tribal drug courts and inserting tribal drug courts, and veterans’ treatment courts and programs (in accordance with subsection (d)); and (B)in paragraph (1), by inserting , and over offenders who are veterans (in accordance with subsection (d)), after problems; and (2)by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d)

Veterans

(1)

Grants

Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, grants for continuing judicial supervision over offenders who are veterans shall be used for— (A)developing, implementing, or enhancing veterans’ treatment courts or expanding operational mental health or drug courts to serve veterans to ensure that such courts effectively integrate substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, sanctions and incentives, and transitional services, in a judicially supervised court setting with jurisdiction over offenders that have served in the United States military; and (B)programs that involve— (i)continuing judicial supervision over offenders with substance abuse or mental health problems who have served in the United States military; and (ii)the integrated administration of other sanctions and services, which shall include— (I)substance abuse and mental health treatment (such as treatment for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder) for each participant; and (II)diversion, probation, or other supervised release involving the possibility of prosecution, confinement, or incarceration based on noncompliance with program requirements or failure to show satisfactory progress. (2)

Definitions

For the purposes of this section: (A)The term veteran means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. (B)The term veterans’ treatment court means a program designed to offer a collaborative rehabilitative approach for veterans in certain criminal justice proceedings. (3)

Consultation

In awarding grants in accordance with this subsection, the Attorney General shall consult with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and any other appropriate officials. . (b)

Reports

Section 2958 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797u–7) is amended by inserting before the period the following: , including data and an evaluation report on the effectiveness of veterans’ treatment courts and programs (as applicable). (c)

Authorization of appropriations

Section 1001(a)(25)(B) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3793u(a)(25)(B)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: Of the sums remaining for this program in each fiscal year after such reservation, the Attorney General shall reserve not less than 15 percent for veterans’ treatment courts and programs under part EE..