H. Rept. 115-682 - VETERANS TREATMENT COURT IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2018115th Congress (2017-2018)
Committee Report
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115th Congress } { REPORT
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 115-682
======================================================================
VETERANS TREATMENT COURT IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2018
_______
May 18, 2018.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Roe of Tennessee, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 2147]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 2147) to require the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to hire additional Veterans Justice Outreach
Specialists to provide treatment court services to justice-
involved veterans, and for other purposes, having considered
the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and
recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 6
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 6
Hearings......................................................... 7
Subcommittee Consideration....................................... 7
Committee Consideration.......................................... 8
Committee Votes.................................................. 8
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 8
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 8
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 8
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits............................. 8
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 8
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 9
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 10
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 10
Constitutional Authority Statement............................... 10
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 10
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs..................... 10
Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking................................ 10
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 10
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill as Reported............. 11
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Treatment Court Improvement
Act of 2018''.
SEC. 2. HIRING BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF ADDITIONAL VETERANS
JUSTICE OUTREACH SPECIALISTS.
(a) Hiring of Additional Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall hire not fewer than 50 Veterans Justice Outreach
Specialists and place each such Veterans Justice Outreach
Specialist at an eligible Department of Veterans Affairs
medical center in accordance with this section.
(2) Requirements.--The Secretary shall ensure that each
Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist employed under paragraph
(1)--
(A) serves, either exclusively or in addition to
other duties, as part of a justice team in a veterans
treatment court or other veteran-focused court; and
(B) otherwise meets Department hiring guidelines for
Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists.
(b) Eligible Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.--For
purposes of this section, an eligible Department of Veterans Affairs
medical center is any Department of Veterans Affairs medical center
that--
(1) complies with all Department guidelines and regulations
for placement of a Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist;
(2) works within a local criminal justice system with
justice-involved veterans;
(3) maintains an affiliation with one or more veterans
treatment courts or other veteran-focused courts; and
(4) either--
(A) routinely provides Veterans Justice Outreach
Specialists to serve as part of a justice team in a
veterans treatment court or other veteran-focused
court; or
(B) establishes a plan that is approved by the
Secretary to provide Veterans Justice Outreach
Specialists employed under subsection (a)(1) to serve
as part of a justice team in a veterans treatment court
or other veteran-focused court.
(c) Placement Priority.--The Secretary shall prioritize the placement
of Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists employed under subsection
(a)(1) at eligible Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers that
have or intend to establish an affiliation, for the purpose of carrying
out the Veterans Justice Outreach Program, with a veterans treatment
court, or other veteran-focused court, that--
(1) was established on or after the date of the enactment of
this Act; or
(2)(A) was established before the date of the enactment of
this Act; and
(B) is not fully staffed with Veterans Justice Outreach
Specialists.
(d) Reports.--
(1) Report by secretary of veterans affairs.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on
the implementation of this section and its effect on
the Veterans Justice Outreach Program.
(B) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph
(1) shall include the following:
(i) The status of the efforts of the
Secretary to hire Veterans Justice Outreach
Specialists pursuant to subsection (a)(1),
including the total number of Veterans Justice
Outreach Specialists hired by the Secretary
pursuant to such subsection and the number that
the Secretary expects to hire pursuant to such
subsection.
(ii) The total number of Veterans Justice
Outreach Specialists assigned to each
Department of Veterans Affairs medical center
that participates in the Veterans Justice
Outreach Program, including the number of
Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists hired
under subsection (a)(1) disaggregated by
Department of Veterans Affairs medical center.
(iii) The total number of eligible Department
of Veterans Affairs medical centers that sought
placement of a Veterans Justice Outreach
Specialist under subsection (a)(1), how many
Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists each such
center sought, and how many of such medical
centers received no placement of a Veterans
Justice Outreach Specialist under subsection
(a)(1).
(iv) For each eligible Department of Veterans
Affairs medical center--
(I) the number of justice-involved
veterans who were served or are
expected to be served by a Veterans
Justice Outreach Specialist hired under
subsection (a)(1); and
(II) the number of justice-involved
veterans who do not have access to a
Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist.
(2) Report by comptroller general of the united states.--
(A) In general.--Not later than three years after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall submit to Congress a
report on the implementation of this section and the
effectiveness of the Veterans Justice Outreach Program.
(B) Contents.--The report required by subparagraph
(A) shall include the following:
(i) An assessment of whether the Secretary
has fulfilled the Secretary's obligations under
this section.
(ii) The number of veterans who are served by
Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists hired
under subsection (a)(1), disaggregated by
demographics (including discharge status).
(iii) An identification of any subgroups of
veterans who underutilize services provided
under laws administered by the Secretary,
including an assessment of whether these
veterans have access to Veterans Justice
Outreach Specialists under the Veterans Justice
Outreach Program.
(iv) Such recommendations as the Comptroller
General may have for the Secretary to improve
the effectiveness of the Veterans Justice
Outreach Program.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Justice team.--The term ``justice team'' means the group
of individuals, which may include a judge, court coordinator,
prosecutor, public defender, treatment provider, probation or
other law enforcement officer, program mentor, and Veterans
Justice Outreach Specialist, who assist justice-involved
veterans in a veterans treatment court or other veteran-focused
court.
(2) Justice-involved veteran.--The term ``justice-involved
veteran'' means a veteran with active, ongoing, or recent
contact with some component of a local criminal justice system.
(3) Local criminal justice system.--The term ``local criminal
justice system'' means law enforcement, jails, prisons, and
Federal, State, and local courts.
(4) Veterans justice outreach program.--The term ``Veterans
Justice Outreach Program'' means the program through which the
Department of Veterans Affairs identifies justice-involved
veterans and provides such veterans with access to Department
services.
(5) Veterans justice outreach specialist.--The term
``Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist'' means an employee of
the Department of Veterans Affairs who serves as a liaison
between the Department and the local criminal justice system on
behalf of a justice-involved veteran.
(6) Veterans treatment court.--The term ``veterans treatment
court'' means a State or local court that is participating in
the veterans treatment court program (as defined in section
2991(i)(1) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of
1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797aa(i)(1))).
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 2147 Offered by Mr.
Coffman of Colorado
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Treatment Court
Improvement Act of 2018''.
SEC. 2. HIRING BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF ADDITIONAL VETERANS
JUSTICE OUTREACH SPECIALISTS.
(a) Hiring of Additional Veterans Justice Outreach
Specialists.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall hire not fewer than 50 Veterans
Justice Outreach Specialists and place each such
Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist at an eligible
Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in
accordance with this section.
(2) Requirements.--The Secretary shall ensure that
each Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist employed
under paragraph (1)--
(A) serves, either exclusively or in addition
to other duties, as part of a justice team in a
veterans treatment court or other veteran-
focused court; and
(B) otherwise meets Department hiring
guidelines for Veterans Justice Outreach
Specialists.
(b) Eligible Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Centers.--For purposes of this section, an eligible Department
of Veterans Affairs medical center is any Department of
Veterans Affairs medical center that--
(1) complies with all Department guidelines and
regulations for placement of a Veterans Justice
Outreach Specialist;
(2) works within a local criminal justice system with
justice-involved veterans;
(3) maintains an affiliation with one or more
veterans treatment courts or other veteran-focused
courts; and
(4) either--
(A) routinely provides Veterans Justice
Outreach Specialists to serve as part of a
justice team in a veterans treatment court or
other veteran-focused court; or
(B) establishes a plan that is approved by
the Secretary to provide Veterans Justice
Outreach Specialists employed under subsection
(a)(1) to serve as part of a justice team in a
veterans treatment court or other veteran-
focused court.
(c) Placement Priority.--The Secretary shall prioritize the
placement of Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists employed
under subsection (a)(1) at eligible Department of Veterans
Affairs medical centers that have or intend to establish an
affiliation, for the purpose of carrying out the Veterans
Justice Outreach Program, with a veterans treatment court, or
other veteran-focused court, that--
(1) was established on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act; or
(2)(A) was established before the date of the
enactment of this Act; and
(B) is not fully staffed with Veterans Justice
Outreach Specialists.
(d) Reports.--
(1) Report by secretary of veterans affairs.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year
after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit
to Congress a report on the implementation of
this section and its effect on the Veterans
Justice Outreach Program.
(B) Contents.--The report submitted under
paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(i) The status of the efforts of the
Secretary to hire Veterans Justice
Outreach Specialists pursuant to
subsection (a)(1), including the total
number of Veterans Justice Outreach
Specialists hired by the Secretary
pursuant to such subsection and the
number that the Secretary expects to
hire pursuant to such subsection.
(ii) The total number of Veterans
Justice Outreach Specialists assigned
to each Department of Veterans Affairs
medical center that participates in the
Veterans Justice Outreach Program,
including the number of Veterans
Justice Outreach Specialists hired
under subsection (a)(1) disaggregated
by Department of Veterans Affairs
medical center.
(iii) The total number of eligible
Department of Veterans Affairs medical
centers that sought placement of a
Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist
under subsection (a)(1), how many
Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists
each such center sought, and how many
of such medical centers received no
placement of a Veterans Justice
Outreach Specialist under subsection
(a)(1).
(iv) For each eligible Department of
Veterans Affairs medical center--
(I) the number of justice-
involved veterans who were
served or are expected to be
served by a Veterans Justice
Outreach Specialist hired under
subsection (a)(1); and
(II) the number of justice-
involved veterans who do not
have access to a Veterans
Justice Outreach Specialist.
(2) Report by comptroller general of the united
states.--
(A) In general.--Not later than three years
after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to Congress a report on the
implementation of this section and the
effectiveness of the Veterans Justice Outreach
Program.
(B) Contents.--The report required by
subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
(i) An assessment of whether the
Secretary has fulfilled the Secretary's
obligations under this section.
(ii) The number of veterans who are
served by Veterans Justice Outreach
Specialists hired under subsection
(a)(1), disaggregated by demographics
(including discharge status).
(iii) An identification of any
subgroups of veterans who underutilize
services provided under laws
administered by the Secretary,
including an assessment of whether
these veterans have access to Veterans
Justice Outreach Specialists under the
Veterans Justice Outreach Program.
(iv) Such recommendations as the
Comptroller General may have for the
Secretary to improve the effectiveness
of the Veterans Justice Outreach
Program.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Justice team.--The term ``justice team'' means
the group of individuals, which may include a judge,
court coordinator, prosecutor, public defender,
treatment provider, probation or other law enforcement
officer, program mentor, and Veterans Justice Outreach
Specialist, who assist justice-involved veterans in a
veterans treatment court or other veteran-focused
court.
(2) Justice-involved veteran.--The term ``justice-
involved veteran'' means a veteran with active,
ongoing, or recent contact with some component of a
local criminal justice system.
(3) Local criminal justice system.--The term ``local
criminal justice system'' means law enforcement, jails,
prisons, and Federal, State, and local courts.
(4) Veterans justice outreach program.--The term
``Veterans Justice Outreach Program'' means the program
through which the Department of Veterans Affairs
identifies justice-involved veterans and provides such
veterans with access to Department services.
(5) Veterans justice outreach specialist.--The term
``Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist'' means an
employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs who
serves as a liaison between the Department and the
local criminal justice system on behalf of a justice-
involved veteran.
(6) Veterans treatment court.--The term ``veterans
treatment court'' means a State or local court that is
participating in the veterans treatment court program
(as defined in section 2991(i)(1) of the Omnibus Crime
Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
3797aa(i)(1))).
PURPOSE AND SUMMARY
H.R. 2147, as amended, the ``Veterans Treatment Court
Improvement Act of 2018,'' would require the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) hire at least 50 Veterans Justice
Outreach (VJO) Specialists for placement at certain VAMCs with
robust VJO Programs to serve as part of a VJO team in a
veterans treatment (or other veteran-focused) court.
Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado introduced H.R. 2147 on
April 26, 2017.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
VA's Veteran Justice Outreach (VJO) program aims to help
``. . . avoid the unnecessary criminalization of mental illness
and extended incarceration among veterans by ensuring that
eligible, justice-involved veterans have timely access to [VA]
services, as clinically indicated.''\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\VHA Office of Mental Health. ``Homeless Veterans.'' Veterans
Justice Outreach Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, 28 Jan. 2010,
www.va.gov/HOMELESS/VJO.asp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
To accomplish this, VAMCs employ VJO Specialists who
provide direct outreach, assessment and case management for
justice-involved veterans and serve as the link between
veterans, VA, and the local justice system. In areas where a
Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) exists, VJO Specialists also
work with the VTC to inform officers of the court about whether
a veteran is complying with VA treatment programs and relevant
court orders.
VTCs began in 2008 in Buffalo, New York. The VTC model is
based on the Drug Courts and Mental Health Courts that began in
the 1990s. VTCs often partner with local VAMCs and VSOs. While
VTCs are voluntary, only veterans who have been charged with
non-violent crimes and who are in need of mental health or
substance abuse treatment may access a VTC.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\``Keeping Veterans with PTSD out of the Justice System.'' PTSD:
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 17 Aug.
2010, www.ptsd.va.gov/public/community/keeping-PTSD-vets-out-JS.asp.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 2 of the bill would require VA to hire an
additional 50 Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists for
placement into eligible VA Medical Centers. An eligible VA
Medical Center is one that (1) complies with all VA guidelines
and regulations for placement of a specialist; (2) works with a
veteran with active, ongoing, or recent contact with some
component of a local criminal justice system; (3) maintains an
affiliation with one or more veterans treatment courts or other
veteran-focused courts; and (4) either routinely provides
specialists, or establishes a VA-approved plan to provide
specialists, to serve as part of a justice team in such a
court.
HEARINGS
On September 26, 2017, the Subcommittee on Health conducted
a legislative hearing on a number of bills including H.R. 2147.
The following witnesses testified:
The Honorable Debbie Dingell, U.S. House of
Representatives, 12th District, Michigan; The Honorable
Beto O'Rourke, U.S. House of Representatives, 16th
District, Texas; The Honorable Derek Kilmer, U.S. House
of Representatives, 6th District, Washington; The
Honorable Steve King, U.S. House of Representatives,
4th District, Iowa; The Honorable Lloyd Smucker, U.S.
House of Representatives, 16th District, Pennsylvania;
The Honorable Mike Coffman, U.S. House of
Representatives, 6th District, Colorado; The Honorable
Steve Stivers, U.S. House of Representatives, 15th
District, Ohio; The Honorable Ron DeSantis, U.S. House
of Representatives, 6th District, Florida; The
Honorable John Rutherford, U.S. House of
Representatives, 4th District, Florida; Keronica
Richardson, Assistant Director of Women and Minority
Veterans Outreach, National Security Division, The
American Legion; Rick Weidman, Executive Director for
Policy & Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of
America; Amy Webb, National Legislative Policy Advisor,
AMVETS; Harold Kudler, M.D., Acting Assistant Deputy
Under Secretary for Health for Patient Care Services,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Statements for the record were submitted by:
Blinded Veterans of America; Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the United States; Disabled American Veterans;
Paralyzed Veterans of America; Justice for Vets; Make a
Difference America
SUBCOMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
There was no Subcommittee consideration of H.R. 2147.
COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On May 8, 2018, the full Committee met in open markup
session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 2147, as
amended, to be reported favorably to the House of
Representatives by voice vote. During consideration of the
bill, the following amendment was considered and agreed to by
voice vote:
An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by
Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado.
COMMITTEE VOTES
In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, there were no recorded votes
taken on amendments or in connection with ordering H.R. 2147,
as amended, reported to the House. A motion by Representative
Tim Walz of Minnesota, Ranking Member of the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, to report H.R. 2147, as amended, favorably
to the House of Representatives was adopted by voice vote.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause
(2)(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of
this report.
STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee's performance
goals and objectives are to ensure that there is a sufficient
number of Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists available
across the VA healthcare system to provide case management
services to the population of veterans with mental illness.
NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX EXPENDITURES
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its
own the estimate of new budget authority, entitlement
authority, or tax expenditures or revenues contained in the
cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974.
EARMARKS AND TAX AND TARIFF BENEFITS
H.R. 2147, as amended, does not contain any Congressional
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as
defined in clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE
The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate on H.R.
2147, as amended, prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate
for H.R. 2147, as amended, provided by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, May 9, 2018.
Hon. Phil Roe, M.D.,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2147, the Veterans
Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Ann E.
Futrell.
Sincerely,
Keith Hall,
Director.
Enclosure.
H.R. 2147--Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018
Within one year of enactment, H.R. 2147 would require the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to hire 50 specialists for
the Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Program. The program--which
operates through VA medical centers--provides support services
to veterans involved in the criminal justice system. VA reports
that currently it is working to hire at least 50 additional
specialists for the VJO program. Because the hiring requirement
would codify VA's current plan, CBO estimates that implementing
those requirements would result in no additional costs.
The bill also would require VA and the Government
Accountability Office (GAO) to submit reports to the Congress
on the VJO Program. On the basis of information from GAO
regarding necessary resources to prepare reports of similar
scope, CBO estimates that four full-time employees at an
average compensation of $130,000 would work on the GAO report.
CBO expects minimal costs to prepare VA's report. As a result,
CBO estimates that implementing the bill's reporting
requirements would cost $1 million over the 2019-2023 period,
assuming availability of appropriated amounts.
Enacting H.R. 2147 would not affect direct spending or
revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 2147 would not increase
net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2029.
H.R. 2147 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Ann E. Futrell.
The estimate was reviewed by Leo Lex, Deputy Assistant Director
for Budget Analysis.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates regarding H.R. 2147, as amended, prepared by the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section
423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R.
2147, as amended.
STATEMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY
Pursuant to Article I, section 8 of the United States
Constitution, H.R. 2147, as amended, is authorized by Congress'
power to ``provide for the common Defense and general Welfare
of the United States.''
APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that H.R. 2147, as amended, does not
relate to the terms and conditions of employment or access to
public services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
STATEMENT ON DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision
of H.R. 2147, as amended, establishes or reauthorizes a program
of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another
Federal program, a program that was included in any report from
the Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to
section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a
program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance.
DISCLOSURE OF DIRECTED RULEMAKING
Pursuant to section 3(i) of H. Res. 5, 115th Cong. (2017),
the Committee estimates that H.R. 2147, as amended, contains no
directed rulemaking that would require the Secretary to
prescribe regulations.
SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 of the bill would provide the short title for
H.R. 2147, as amended, as the ``Veterans Treatment Court
Improvement Act of 2018''.
Section 2. Hiring by Department of Veterans Affairs of additional
Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists
Section 2(a) of the bill would direct VA, by no later than
one year after enactment, to hire at least 50 Veterans Justice
Outreach (VJO) Specialists for placement into eligible VA
Medical Centers (VAMCs). VJO Specialists employed under this
section would be required to serve as part of a veterans
treatment court or other veteran-focused court and adhere to VA
hiring guidelines for VJO Specialists.
Section 2(b) of the bill defines an eligible VA Medical
Center is one that (1) complies with all VA guidelines and
regulations for placement of a specialist; (2) works with a
veteran with active, ongoing, or recent contact with some
component of a local criminal justice system; (3) maintains an
affiliation with one or more veterans treatment courts or other
veteran-focused courts; and (4) either routinely provides
specialists, or establishes a VA-approved plan to provide
specialists, to serve as part of a justice team in such a
court.
Section 2(c) of the bill directs VA to prioritize the
assignment of VJO Specialists hired under Section 2(a) to VAMCs
which have, or intend to have, an affiliation with a veterans
treatment court or other veteran-focused court not fully
staffed by VJO Specialists.
Section 2(d)(1) of the bill requires VA, one year after
enactment, to submit a report to Congress on the implementation
of section 2(a), and its effect on the VJO Program, to include:
(1) the status of VJO Specialist hiring under the section 2(a);
(2) the total number of VJO Specialists assigned to each VAMC
participating in the VJO Program, to include a separate count
of VJO Specialists hired under section 2(a); (3) the number of
eligible VAMCs that requested a VJO Specialists authorized
under section 2(a) and, of those, the number VJO Specialists
requested by each eligible VAMC as well as how many eligible
VAMCs received no VJO Specialist placement under ection 2(a);
and (4) the number of veterans who were served or expected to
be served by the VJO Specialists hired under section 2(a), as
well as the number of justice-involved veterans who do not have
access to a VJO Specialist.
Section 2(d)(2) of the bill requires the Comptroller
General of the United States, within three years of enactment,
to submit a report to Congress on the implementation of H.R.
2147, as amended, and the Veterans Justice Outreach Program, to
include: (1) an assessment of whether the Secretary has
fulfilled the requirements of the bill; (2) the number of
veterans served by VJO Specialists hired under H.R. 2147, as
amended, disaggregated by demographics (including discharge
status); (3) an identification of any subgroups of veterans who
underutilized the services provided by the Secretary's
authorities, including access to VJO Specialists under the VJO
Program; and (4) such recommendations as the Comptroller
General may have for the VA Secretary to improve the
effectiveness of the VJO Program.
Section 2(e) of the bill defines the following terms: (1)
``justice team,'' (2) ``justice-involved veteran,'' (3) ``local
criminal justice system,'' (4) ``Veterans Justice Outreach
Program,'' (5) ``Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist,'' (6)
``Veterans Treatment Court.''
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing
law.
[all]