The bill, HB2766, proposes to appropriate $1,000,000 from the Consumer Remediation Subaccount to the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services (ADVS) for grants to nonprofit organizations. These grants are intended to support nonprofits that provide evidence-based clinical care, wellness, education, peer outreach, and clinician training for active duty service members, veterans, and their families who are affected by mental and behavioral health issues. The specified health issues include post-traumatic stress injuries, traumatic brain injuries, depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, and suicidal ideation.
The bill requires that the services funded by these grants be administered in partnership with qualified hospital systems and state universities, and that they are available to veterans and active duty service members regardless of their discharge status or when they served. Additionally, the appropriation is exempt from lapsing, meaning the funds will remain available until they are fully utilized. The bill is set to become effective on the general effective date.