MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Alabama lawmakers gave final passage Wednesday to legislation that will ensure the mental health needs and services of veterans across the state are being met.
Senate Bill 135, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre), will authorize the Alabama Department of Mental Health and the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs to work together to create a comprehensive plan for the mental health care, treatment, and recovery of veterans.
“It is important to provide the men and women across Alabama who wore a uniform in defense of our nation with the quality mental health services that they need and earned,” said Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollinger’s Island), sponsor of House Bill 197. “Alabamians are a fiercely patriotic people, and our deep love for our country can be demonstrated by properly acknowledging the devotion, sacrifices, and mental health needs of our veterans.”
Lawmakers say the plan, which will be developed by the Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee, must focus on providing services in areas that include substance abuse recovery, traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions.
Alabama residents who served in the ground, naval, air, or space forces of the U.S. military and were honorably released or discharged will be eligible for assistance once the plan is in place. Honorably discharged veterans of the Alabama National Guard, Alabama Air National Guard, and reserve forces of the U.S. military will also qualify.
The plan must be submitted to the state legislature for review and input by April 1, 2025 and sent to the governor for approval by June 30, 2025.
A provision requires the governor to begin taking action on implementing the plan no later than August 31, 2025.
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