SPONSOR: Griffith
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Veterans by a vote of 12 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Legislative Oversight by a vote of 9 to 0.
As specified in this bill, the Missouri Veterans Commission shall review the provisions of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, and any regulations related thereto. After review, the Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health, shall provide recommendations and make efforts to adopt procedures, programs, treatment options, additional aid, and any other assistance deemed necessary by the Commission to assist in the efforts to prevent veteran suicide, subject to appropriation.
Before June 30, 2023 and by every June 30th thereafter the Commission shall file a report with the Department of Public Safety and the General Assembly on the recommendations, implementation, and effectiveness of the efforts by the Commission to prevent veteran suicide.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this bill brings awareness to the issue of mental health and attempts to bring an end to veteran suicide. Through the report, this bill will provide data on how to prevent veteran suicide. Additionally, since the Missouri Veterans Commission already works with veterans, it makes sense to place this program under the commission.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Griffith; Frank Torres; and Arnie Dienoff.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: