Peterson Announces Veteran Treatment Court Act of 2019 is On Its Way to President's Desk To Be Signed Into Law

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Collin Peterson announced today that the bipartisan Veteran Treatment Court Act of 2019, has passed the House under unanimous consent and is now heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

Peterson is a co-sponsor of the legislation, which will establish the Veteran Treatment Court Program in the Office of Justice Programs, providing coordinated technical assistance to veteran advocates and local officials to help them stand up and expand treatment court programs.

After serving our country, too many veterans are experiencing mental health issues, substance abuse, and homelessness, which can often land them in the criminal justice system. Veteran treatment courts provide the counseling, care, and support veterans need to help address these challenges rather than sending them to jail.

“These special courts are proven to help veterans who are charged with non-violent crimes get the help they are entitled to,” said Rep. Peterson. “I’m proud to support our veterans in every way that I possibly can."

Currently, veteran treatment courts are started and supported by dedicated individuals and organizations coming together to help local veterans. However, there is not a coordinated effort from the Department of Justice to provide technical assistance, grants, and best practices for communities with a veteran treatment court, or for communities who want to start one. This bill establishes the Veteran Treatment Court Program in the Office of Justice Programs, providing coordinated technical assistance to veteran advocates and local officials to help them stand up and expand treatment court programs.

The legislation has received the support of American Legion, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, American Logistics Association, American Military Society, American and Navy Union of the USA, American Retiree Association, Armed Forces Retirees Association, Association of the US Navy, Military Order of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Order of World Wars, National District Attorneys Association, National Military & Veterans Alliance, National Veterans Court Alliance, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, The Flag and General Officers Network, The Independence Fund, The Retired Enlisted Association, Society of Military Widows, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Catholic War Veterans.

Co-sponsors for the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act are U.S. Reps. Charlie Crist (D-FL), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Colin Allred (D-TX), James Baird (R-IN), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Susan Brooks (R-IN), Anthony Brown (D-MD), Ken Calvert (R-CA), André Carson (D-IN), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Paul Cook (R-CA), Jason Crow (D-CO), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Val Demings (D-FL), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Jennifer González-Colón (R-PR), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Josh Harder (D-CA), Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Denny Heck (D-WA), Jody Hice (R-GA), Brian Higgins (D-NY), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Katie Hill (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Kendra Horn (D-OK), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Walter Jones (R-NC), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Bill Keating (D-MA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Dan Kildee (D-MI), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Ron Kind (D-WI), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Al Lawson (D-FL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Elaine Luria (D-VA), Brian Mast (R-FL), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Bill Posey (R-FL), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Denver Riggleman (R-VA), Max Rose (D-NY), Harley Rouda (D-CA), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Bobby Rush (D-IL), John Rutherford (R-FL), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Bobby Scott (D-VA), José Serrano (D-NY), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Donna Shalala (D-FL), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Adam Smith (D-WA), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Darren Soto (D-FL), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Mike Turner (R-OH), Fred Upton (R-MI), Filemon Vela (D-TX), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Greg Walden (R-OR), Jackie Walorski (R-IN), Michael Waltz (R-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), and John Yarmuth (D-KY).