SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL 365

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

AN ACT

RELATING TO VETERANS; ESTABLISHING A VETERANS' COURT TASK FORCE TO DEVISE A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A VETERANS' COURT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--VETERANS' COURT TASK FORCE--MEMBERSHIP--DUTIES.--

          A. By July 1, 2009, the secretary of veterans' services shall convene a veterans' court task force to devise a comprehensive strategic plan for the establishment and operation of a veterans' court within the judicial branch of state government. The veterans' court task force shall report on its strategic plan to the appropriate legislative interim committee by December 1, 2009. The veterans' court task force shall work in conjunction with New Mexico veterans, the administrative office of the courts, the judiciary, the New Mexico national guard, the New Mexico behavioral health collaborative, the New Mexico public defenders department, the New Mexico district attorneys association and representatives from other boards, commissions, departments, agencies, authorities and organizations necessary to provide appropriate expertise to devise the strategic plan.

          B. The strategic plan shall contain recommendations for providing just and constructive interventions for veterans of the United States armed services who break a law as a direct result of or under the influence of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression or substance abuse. The recommendations shall focus on policy solutions that balance public safety needs with veterans' needs for health care and social interventions that will identify and treat post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression and addiction.

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