Senate Substitute

MISSOURI VETERANS' COMMISSION'S EFFORTS ON VETERAN SUICIDE (SECTION 42.022)

This act requires the Missouri Veterans' Commission to review the provisions of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 and any regulations related to such act. After review, the Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health, shall provide recommendations and make efforts to adopt procedures, programs, treatment options, aid, and other assistance necessary to assist in the efforts to prevent veteran suicide. Additionally, this act provides that the Commission shall file a report with the Department of Public Safety and the General Assembly on the recommendations, implementation, and effectiveness of the Commission's efforts to prevent veteran suicide before June 30, 2025, and by every subsequent June 30th.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 734 (2024), HB 132 (2023) and a provision in SCS/HB 1067 (2023) and is substantially similar to a provision in SCS/HB 2455 (2022).

"VETERANS TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY TREATMENT AND RECOVERY ACT" (SECTIONS 191.2600 to 191.2630)

This act establishes the "Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury

Treatment and Recovery Act". The act creates the "Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment and Recovery Fund", which will reimburse eligible facilities that provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy to veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury, and be used to conduct studies on the use of alternative therapies for such conditions. The act specifies the eligibility criteria and requirements for veterans, facilities, and health care practitioners for reimbursement. The veteran shall not be charged by the facility for the cost of the therapy.

The Missouri Veterans Commission shall compile an annual report with data about the treatment of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its effectiveness, as set forth in the act. The Department of Health and Senior Services shall annually submit a report to the Governor by January 30 containing findings and recommendations relating to this act.

These provisions are identical to HB 2215 (2024).

DISABLED VETERANS SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES (SECTION 301.3061)

This act changes the requirements as to how a Disabled American Veterans special license plate shall look by removing specific requirements of certain letters and colors used on the plate and instead shall require only an emblem and slogan of the Disabled American Veterans organization on the plate.

This provision is identical to HB 1459 (2024).

SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES FOR AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ VETERANS (SECTIONS 301.3181 AND 301.3182)

Under this act, any person who served as a member of the Armed Forces in Afghanistan and Iraq and who was awarded the Afghanistan Campaign medal and the Iraq Campaign medal may apply for Afghanistan and Iraq Veteran vehicle license plates, as described in the act. Applicants shall pay a registration fee and an additional $15 fee for the license plate. Plates shall be as described in the act, including specified words and emblems.

Additionally, any person who served as a member of the Armed Forces in Afghanistan and who was awarded the Afghanistan Campaign medal may apply for Afghanistan Veteran vehicle license plates, as described in the act. Applicants shall pay a registration fee and an additional $15 fee for the license plate. Plates shall be as described in the act, including specified words and emblems.

These provisions are identical to HCS/HB 2091 (2024).

KATIE O'BRIEN