Get Justice-Involved Veterans BACK HOME Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 8044
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 8044Veterans' medical careCorrectional facilities and imprisonment
Get Justice-Involved Veterans BACK HOME Act
INTRO MAR 24· LAST ACTION MAY 20
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
2BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill addresses several significant challenges faced by veterans who end up in the criminal justice system. Many incarcerated veterans struggle with mental health conditions like PTSD or traumatic brain injury, often linked to their military service, which can contribute to their legal issues. By providing direct VA mental health care, the bill aims to support their recovery and reduce recidivism.
Establishing dedicated housing and programs within prisons acknowledges the specific culture and needs of veterans, potentially creating a more effective environment for rehabilitation. Furthermore, automatically restoring VA benefits upon release can provide a crucial safety net, helping veterans transition back into society without financial hardship and reducing barriers to stability. If this bill passes, incarcerated veterans could receive more tailored support, while if it doesn't, many would continue to face difficulties accessing specialized care and benefits that could aid their rehabilitation and successful reintegration.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Establishes a pilot program for the VA to provide mental health care to incarcerated veterans, prioritizing those with service-connected PTSD, TBI, or military sexual trauma.
This ensures that incarcerated veterans, who often have complex mental health needs related to their service, can access specialized care.
PROVISION 02
Requires the Bureau of Prisons to establish dedicated housing units or veteran-focused programs in federal correctional facilities, wherever feasible.
Creating specialized environments can improve rehabilitation outcomes by leveraging the shared experiences and discipline familiar to veterans.
PROVISION 03
Mandates the automatic resumption of VA compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation payments for veterans immediately upon their release from incarceration.
This prevents financial instability and bureaucratic hurdles for veterans transitioning out of incarceration, aiding their reintegration into society.
PROVISION 04
Requires the collection and annual reporting of comprehensive data on incarcerated veterans to Congress.
This provision helps policymakers understand the scope of the issue and make more informed decisions about support for justice-involved veterans.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
INTROREFERRAL
MAR 24
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill addresses several significant challenges faced by veterans who end up in the criminal justice system. Many incarcerated veterans struggle with mental health conditions like PTSD or traumatic brain injury, often linked to their military service, which can contribute to their legal issues. By providing direct VA mental health care, the bill aims to support their recovery and reduce recidivism.
Establishing dedicated housing and programs within prisons acknowledges the specific culture and needs of veterans, potentially creating a more effective environment for rehabilitation. Furthermore, automatically restoring VA benefits upon release can provide a crucial safety net, helping veterans transition back into society without financial hardship and reducing barriers to stability. If this bill passes, incarcerated veterans could receive more tailored support, while if it doesn't, many would continue to face difficulties accessing specialized care and benefits that could aid their rehabilitation and successful reintegration.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Establishes a pilot program for the VA to provide mental health care to incarcerated veterans, prioritizing those with service-connected PTSD, TBI, or military sexual trauma.
This ensures that incarcerated veterans, who often have complex mental health needs related to their service, can access specialized care.
med
Requires the Bureau of Prisons to establish dedicated housing units or veteran-focused programs in federal correctional facilities, wherever feasible.
Creating specialized environments can improve rehabilitation outcomes by leveraging the shared experiences and discipline familiar to veterans.
high
Mandates the automatic resumption of VA compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation payments for veterans immediately upon their release from incarceration.
This prevents financial instability and bureaucratic hurdles for veterans transitioning out of incarceration, aiding their reintegration into society.
low
Requires the collection and annual reporting of comprehensive data on incarcerated veterans to Congress.
This provision helps policymakers understand the scope of the issue and make more informed decisions about support for justice-involved veterans.
Effective date for automatic resumption of VA payments
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph, and annually thereafter
First annual report to Congress on incarcerated veterans data
GLOSSARY
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Incarcerated veteran
A veteran who is held in a federal, state, local, or other type of prison or jail.
Pilot program
A small-scale, trial project to test the effectiveness of a new approach or service before deciding whether to implement it more widely.
Service-connected disability
An illness or injury that was incurred or aggravated during military service.
Telemental health services
Mental health care provided remotely, often using video conferencing technology.
Military sexual trauma (MST)
Sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced by an individual during their time in the Armed Forces.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
A tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military servicemembers who died in the line of duty, or eligible survivors of veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.
Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
The federal agency responsible for the custody and care of individuals incarcerated in federal prisons.
ACTION TIMELINE
4 EVENTS
MAY 20
Committee Hearings Held
COMMITTEE
MAR 24
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
MAR 24
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
INTROREFERRAL
MAR 24
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
