SB 768 – Authorizes circuit courts to create veterans treatment courts

• Sponsor: Kraus
• LR Number: 5763S.01I
• Committee: Veterans' Affairs, Emerging Issues, Pensions and Urban Affairs
• Last Action: 2/9/2012 - Second Read and Referred S Veterans' Affairs, Emerging Issues, Pensions and Urban Affairs Committee
• Journal Page: S236
• Effective Date: August 28, 2012

Current Bill Summary

SB 768 - This act authorizes circuit courts or a combination of circuits to create veterans treatment courts. These courts will dispose of cases involving substance abuse or mental illness of current or former military personnel. Treatment referrals by the court shall be through the Department of Defense health care, Veterans Administration, or community-based treatment programs. The court shall dismiss, reduce, or modify the charges against the participant upon successful completion of a treatment program.

Community based treatment programs must use programs certified by the Missouri Department of Mental Health unless no certified program is located in the same county as the court. Community based programs shall receive state or federal funds for referrals from veterans treatment courts.

This act is similar to HB 1110 (2012).

MIKE HAMMANN