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Measure to Expedite & Connect Veterans to Treatment Courts Heads to Governor’s Desk

For immediate release:

Sacramento- AB 2568 by Assemblymembers Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-San Bernardino), headed to the Governor’s desk for signature with bi-partisan support. The bill requires that when county jails process inmates after they are arrested, that they ask about previous military service or veteran designation.

The change in processing at jails will connect veterans to Veteran Treatment Courts and other services at the soonest available time. Veteran Treatment Courts are a means of diversion for veterans entering into the criminal justice system and to avoid unnecessary incarceration of Veterans who have developed mental health problems. Veteran Treatment Courts lead to the treatment and counseling for many mentally ill offenders who are veterans of the U.S. military, including those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injuries and Military Sexual Trauma, substance abuse, or any mental health problem.

“California has the greatest concentration of veterans in the country and as such, we have an extensive network of Veteran Treatment Courts,” said Assemblymember Reyes. “By inquiring about veteran-designation and military service, we can connect veterans much sooner with required medical treatments and services that have been put in place for our troops when they return home.”

There are currently 33 Veteran Treatment Courts located in 29 different counties throughout the state of California with Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties each having two. Five counties have alternative veteran treatment courts: Amador, Kern, Nevada, Santa Cruz, and Trinity. For more information on AB 2568 or to follow it through the legislative process, click here.

Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes represents Assembly District 47 which includes the cities of Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Grand Terrace, San Bernardino and the unincorporated areas of Muscoy and Bloomington.

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Contact: Galen Dobbins, galen.dobbins@asm.ca.gov, (916) 319-2047