Trump Signs Two Veteran Support Bills into Law

August 11, 2020

Two pieces of legislation signed by President Donald Trump over the weekend will provide help to veterans in the legal system and provide opportunities for disabled veterans to seek home renovation grants.

The Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act directs the Department of Justice to develop and establish veterans treatment courts at the state, local and tribal levels, reports Military.com.

Instead of going to jail, Veterans who have committed nonviolent crimes may enter court-supervised medical treatment, and access veteran-centric services and benefits.

“With this new law, thousands more veterans across the country facing the criminal justice system will have an alternative to jail time, ensuring they get the treatment they need,” said Rep. Charlie Crist.

The other piece of legislation Trump signed expands on the Ryan Kules and Paul Benne Specially Adaptive Housing Act of 2019.

The new law expands services to blind veterans, raises the maximum funding veterans can receive from $83,000 to $98,000, and allows veterans to access grants up to six times over 10 years (currently at three).

Photo by AP/Charles Krupa

 

August 11, 2020

Recent News

In Our Communities

In Our Communities

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) vetoed legislation that would have limited foreign investor ownership of land near military installations, WIBW reported. Kelly cited constitutional concerns with some of the bill’s provisions. “If the legislature is serious about...

New Army Ad Campaign Focuses on Civilian Employee Recruitment

New Army Ad Campaign Focuses on Civilian Employee Recruitment

The Army hopes its new recruiting campaign, “Find Your Next Level,” will convince professionals to make the Army civilian workforce their next career step, as Task & Purpose reported. “Today’s workforce seeks meaningful careers, but few see Army civilian careers...

Nine Military Hospitals Receive Top Marks for Patient Safety

Nine Military Hospitals Receive Top Marks for Patient Safety

Nine military medical facilities received top grades for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit watchdog, according to Military News. The assessment, part of Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grades program, evaluated over 30 performance measures at 3,000...

Wednesday Webinar on REPI Challenge Grant Proposals

Wednesday Webinar on REPI Challenge Grant Proposals

DOD Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program leaders will host a webinar May 15 at 3 p.m. Eastern time to discuss REPI Challenge grant funding proposals and field questions from prospective applicants. You can join the webinar at this link....

Warren Highlights DCIP as Opportunity for Off-Base Housing Support

Warren Highlights DCIP as Opportunity for Off-Base Housing Support

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) suggested Wednesday that the Defense Community Infrastructure Program is one way to help solve the housing crunch in many military communities. The program, which Congress made permanent last year, provides grants for infrastructure...

PAST STORIES