[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 13, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H5133-H5135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            VETERANS TREATMENT COURT IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2018

  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 2147) to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
to hire additional Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists to provide 
treatment court services to justice-involved veterans, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2147

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Treatment Court 
     Improvement Act of 2018''.

     SEC. 2. HIRING BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF 
                   ADDITIONAL VETERANS JUSTICE OUTREACH 
                   SPECIALISTS.

       (a) Hiring of Additional Veterans Justice Outreach 
     Specialists.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall hire not fewer than 50 Veterans Justice Outreach 
     Specialists and place each such Veterans Justice Outreach 
     Specialist at an eligible Department of Veterans Affairs 
     medical center in accordance with this section.
       (2) Requirements.--The Secretary shall ensure that each 
     Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist employed under paragraph 
     (1)--
       (A) serves, either exclusively or in addition to other 
     duties, as part of a justice team in a veterans treatment 
     court or other veteran-focused court; and
       (B) otherwise meets Department hiring guidelines for 
     Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists.
       (b) Eligible Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
     Centers.--For purposes of this section, an eligible 
     Department of Veterans Affairs medical center is any 
     Department of Veterans Affairs medical center that--
       (1) complies with all Department guidelines and regulations 
     for placement of a Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist;
       (2) works within a local criminal justice system with 
     justice-involved veterans;
       (3) maintains an affiliation with one or more veterans 
     treatment courts or other veteran-focused courts; and
       (4) either--
       (A) routinely provides Veterans Justice Outreach 
     Specialists to serve as part of a justice team in a veterans 
     treatment court or other veteran-focused court; or
       (B) establishes a plan that is approved by the Secretary to 
     provide Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists employed under 
     subsection (a)(1) to serve as part of a justice team in a 
     veterans treatment court or other veteran-focused court.
       (c) Placement Priority.--The Secretary shall prioritize the 
     placement of Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists employed 
     under subsection (a)(1) at eligible Department of Veterans 
     Affairs medical centers that have or intend to establish an 
     affiliation, for the purpose of carrying out the Veterans 
     Justice Outreach Program, with a veterans treatment court, or 
     other veteran-focused court, that--

[[Page H5134]]

       (1) was established on or after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act; or
       (2)(A) was established before the date of the enactment of 
     this Act; and
       (B) is not fully staffed with Veterans Justice Outreach 
     Specialists.
       (d) Reports.--
       (1) Report by secretary of veterans affairs.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of 
     this section and its effect on the Veterans Justice Outreach 
     Program.
       (B) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     shall include the following:
       (i) The status of the efforts of the Secretary to hire 
     Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists pursuant to subsection 
     (a)(1), including the total number of Veterans Justice 
     Outreach Specialists hired by the Secretary pursuant to such 
     subsection and the number that the Secretary expects to hire 
     pursuant to such subsection.
       (ii) The total number of Veterans Justice Outreach 
     Specialists assigned to each Department of Veterans Affairs 
     medical center that participates in the Veterans Justice 
     Outreach Program, including the number of Veterans Justice 
     Outreach Specialists hired under subsection (a)(1) 
     disaggregated by Department of Veterans Affairs medical 
     center.
       (iii) The total number of eligible Department of Veterans 
     Affairs medical centers that sought placement of a Veterans 
     Justice Outreach Specialist under subsection (a)(1), how many 
     Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists each such center 
     sought, and how many of such medical centers received no 
     placement of a Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist under 
     subsection (a)(1).
       (iv) For each eligible Department of Veterans Affairs 
     medical center--

       (I) the number of justice-involved veterans who were served 
     or are expected to be served by a Veterans Justice Outreach 
     Specialist hired under subsection (a)(1); and
       (II) the number of justice-involved veterans who do not 
     have access to a Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist.

       (2) Report by comptroller general of the united states.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than three years after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to Congress a report on the 
     implementation of this section and the effectiveness of the 
     Veterans Justice Outreach Program.
       (B) Contents.--The report required by subparagraph (A) 
     shall include the following:
       (i) An assessment of whether the Secretary has fulfilled 
     the Secretary's obligations under this section.
       (ii) The number of veterans who are served by Veterans 
     Justice Outreach Specialists hired under subsection (a)(1), 
     disaggregated by demographics (including discharge status).
       (iii) An identification of any subgroups of veterans who 
     underutilize services provided under laws administered by the 
     Secretary, including an assessment of whether these veterans 
     have access to Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists under 
     the Veterans Justice Outreach Program.
       (iv) Such recommendations as the Comptroller General may 
     have for the Secretary to improve the effectiveness of the 
     Veterans Justice Outreach Program.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Justice team.--The term ``justice team'' means the 
     group of individuals, which may include a judge, court 
     coordinator, prosecutor, public defender, treatment provider, 
     probation or other law enforcement officer, program mentor, 
     and Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist, who assist justice-
     involved veterans in a veterans treatment court or other 
     veteran-focused court.
       (2) Justice-involved veteran.--The term ``justice-involved 
     veteran'' means a veteran with active, ongoing, or recent 
     contact with some component of a local criminal justice 
     system.
       (3) Local criminal justice system.--The term ``local 
     criminal justice system'' means law enforcement, jails, 
     prisons, and Federal, State, and local courts.
       (4) Veterans justice outreach program.--The term ``Veterans 
     Justice Outreach Program'' means the program through which 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs identifies justice-
     involved veterans and provides such veterans with access to 
     Department services.
       (5) Veterans justice outreach specialist.--The term 
     ``Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist'' means an employee of 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs who serves as a liaison 
     between the Department and the local criminal justice system 
     on behalf of a justice-involved veteran.
       (6) Veterans treatment court.--The term ``veterans 
     treatment court'' means a State or local court that is 
     participating in the veterans treatment court program (as 
     defined in section 2991(i)(1) of the Omnibus Crime Control 
     and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797aa(i)(1))).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Roe) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 2147, as 
amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2147, as amended, the 
Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018.
  This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, to 
hire at least 50 Veterans Justice Outreach specialists, also referred 
to as VJO specialists, to serve in a veterans treatment or other 
veteran-focused court.
  VJO specialists provide direct outreach to and case management 
services for veterans who are involved in the local criminal justice 
system. They serve to protect some of our most vulnerable veterans from 
unnecessary criminalization and incarceration by working with law 
enforcement and the courts to identify service-related mental health or 
substance abuse issues that may be underlying criminal behavior among 
veterans, and to link veterans with treatment they need from the VA to 
recover and become fully functional and contributing members of 
society.
  This bill is sponsored by Congressman  Mike Coffman of Colorado. Mr. 
Coffman is a senior member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and a 
tireless advocate for service members, veterans, and their families.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his leadership on this bill, 
and I urge all of our colleagues to join me in supporting this.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2147, as amended, the 
Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018.
  This bill would require VA to expand access to Veterans Justice 
Outreach specialists in an effort to aid veterans as they interact with 
the justice system.
  Dealing with veterans who break the law can be complicated. While 
they should be held accountable for their crimes, there are frequently 
underlying factors, like substance abuse or PTSD, that come into play. 
Transitioning from the battlefield to civilian life can be tough for 
many.
  These specialists are integral to VHA's efforts to ensure veterans 
avoid unnecessary criminalization of mental illness and extended 
incarceration among veterans.
  Veterans treatment courts are proven ways to ensure veterans receive 
the treatment and support necessary to avoid recidivism. I have visited 
the Riverside County Veterans Treatment Court and witnessed firsthand 
the stellar services it offers veterans in my community.
  That is why I believe this bill is so important, as it would ensure 
veterans have the assistance and support they need to navigate 
successfully through the justice system.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Coffman), both an Army and Marine veteran, 
my good friend and the sponsor of this bill.
  Mr. COFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2147, the 
Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act.
  For many veterans, the transition from military service has been 
successful, with few challenges. However, that is not the case for all 
veterans.
  Unfortunately, for some veterans, the integration into civilian life 
has been met with difficulties, complications, and being caught up in 
the criminal justice system, often due to undiagnosed and untreated 
mental health issues attributed to multiple combat tours.

                              {time}  1600

  The Veteran Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018, H.R. 2147, 
assists criminal justice-involved veterans in getting the help they 
need to navigate the justice system and receive much-needed services 
through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  H.R. 2147 authorizes the Secretary of VA to hire an additional 50 
Veteran Justice Outreach specialists to support the existing VA Veteran 
Justice Outreach program.

[[Page H5135]]

  The veteran treatment court model helps prevent the unnecessary 
incarceration of veterans who have suffered mental health issues, 
substance abuse, and homelessness related to the military service.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2147 to better 
meet the needs of the program and provide much-needed services to more 
veterans in need.
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Arizona (Ms. Sinema) who, though she is not a member of the Veterans' 
Affairs Committee, has had a distinguished record of serving our 
veterans through very, very significant legislation.
  Ms. SINEMA. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2147, the 
Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018.
  Madam Speaker, it is our responsibility as Americans to help our 
bravest men and women heal from both the physical and mental wounds of 
war.
  Veteran treatment courts are important, effective tools to help heal 
the invisible injuries many of our veterans sustained defending our 
country.
  Retired Brigadier General Gregg Maxon, an Arizona veterans court 
advocate, told me these courts and their employees ``make all the 
difference in how these veterans engage in their treatment programs.''
  We worked across the aisle on this bill to ensure that lifesaving 
courts have the resources to serve any Arizona veteran who needs 
support.
  Madam Speaker, too many Arizona families continue to struggle with 
addiction. In the past year alone, more than 8,000 Arizonans overdosed 
on opioids. Over 1,200 of those lives couldn't be saved.
  Leaders in Congress have attempted to cut programs like Medicaid, 
known as AHCCCS in Arizona, which ensures treatment and recovery 
services for many hardworking Arizonans struggling with addiction. But 
instead of attacking this program that works for everyday people across 
our State, we should reach across the aisle and work together to find 
solutions that help families get ahead and build better lives.
  This week, we are working across the aisle and I am proud to see our 
progress. We are passing bills to help reduce foreign shipments of 
illegal synthetic opioids from places like China that enter our country 
through the mail system; passing bills to provide additional targeted 
services for individuals and families struggling with addiction; and 
passing bills to give law enforcement additional tools to keep 
synthetic drugs off the streets and out of our communities.
  More work remains, and I look forward to working across the aisle to 
deliver results for everyday Arizonans.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close. I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Connolly).
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from California for his 
leadership.
  I rise in support of the Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 
2018 requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to hire 50 Veterans 
Justice Outreach specialists to support veteran treatment courts.
  We have a sacred obligation to serve the needs of our Nation's 
veterans, including those struggling with addiction and the invisible 
wounds of war. Twenty percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans 
suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or major depression. One in 
six battle with substance abuse.
  Left undiagnosed or untreated, these illnesses can lead to an 
encounter with the justice system. Worse yet, they can also lead to 
suicide, which veterans commit at more than twice the rate of the 
civilian population.
  Fortunately, specialized veteran treatment courts are being developed 
across the country to help veterans who suffer from substance addiction 
or mental health disorders, and they receive the assistance they 
deserve.
  The first such court was established in Buffalo, New York, in 2008. 
Since then, more than 300 have opened across the country, including one 
in Fairfax County and another in Prince William County, both counties I 
represent. I was glad to help establish the first docket in Fairfax 
County, and have been a proud supporter ever since.
  By bringing these service organizations, State Veterans Services 
Departments and volunteer mentors into the courtroom, veteran treatment 
courts promote community collaboration and can connect veterans with 
the programs and benefits they have earned and they need.
  Having a veteran-only court docket ensures that everyone, from the 
judge to the volunteers, specialize in veteran care; and the 
involvement of fellow veterans allows the defendant to experience the 
camaraderie to which he or she has become accustomed in the military.
  We know this model works. It is our hope that the additional Veterans 
Justice Outreach specialists provided for in this bill will help 
promote veteran treatment courts as an alternative to detention for our 
Nation's returning heroes, and help them with the transition to 
civilian life.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Let me just say that I have personally witnessed the effectiveness of 
these courts in my own community. They have saved lives; they have 
fixed lives; they have repaired lives; and they have afforded our 
veterans a measure of dignity as they heal from their experiences in 
battle.
  So I ask all my colleagues to please join me in passing H.R. 2147, as 
amended.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all 
Members to support H.R. 2147, as amended, and I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Marchant). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2147, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________