Representative Will Stapp (R-Fairbanks) and Senator Loki Tobin (D-Anchorage) introduced House Bill 299 and Senate Bill 236 on Monday, Feb 9. The joint bill is known as the Veterans Justice Act, which establishes the “veteran sentencing program.” The veteran sentencing program seeks to reduce recidivism and help veterans exhibiting “one or more indicators of mental or physical symptoms of a condition from
military service that may have contributed to an offense.”
The program is for veterans found guilty or pleading guilty to an offense that is eligible for probation and is a misdemeanor. The veteran must also exhibit symptoms of “a condition from military service: and ascent to participate in the program. “Condition from military service” is defined in the bill as “a substance use disorder, military sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other mental health condition that is related to an individual’s military service.”
The bill clarifies that public safety takes precedent in deciding program eligibility: “A veteran is ineligible for participation in the veteran sentencing program if the court finds that the veteran’s participation would not reasonably ensure public safety, based on an individual assessment of the veteran and consideration of the availability of supervision, treatment, and other programs in the community.”
According to Rep. Stapp: “This bill is meant to balance the need for individuals to be accountable for their own actions and the duty we owe our men and women who volunteer to protect and preserve our way of life.”
Sen. Tobin commented on the bill: “This will help reduce recidivism and support successful reintegration into their communities. These folks put their lives on the line for our freedoms, and they deserve our support.”
SB 236 will be considered in the Senate State Affairs Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee. HB 299 will be considered in the House Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. As of now, there are no co-sponsors for the House version. Senator Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks) is a co-sponsor for the Senate version.
