Services, Education, and Rehabilitation for Veterans (SERV) Act
NADCP was honored to work with members of the House and Senate to produce the bipartisan SERV Act, which was introduced to Congress early this year. The SERV Act would provide funding for communities with existing Drug Courts that serve veterans or will establish new Veterans Treatment Courts. This critical legislation is the key to providing the resources necessary to expand Veterans' Treatment Courts throughout the country.
On September 16, 2009, NADCP joined national leaders in the Veterans Treatment Court movement on Capitol Hill for a House Committee on Veterans' Affairs roundtable discussion on Veterans Treatment Courts. This discussion helped the SERV Act gain momentum on Capitol Hill and it continues to gain co-sponsors.
State Legislation
To date, three states – Illinois, Nevada and Texas - have passed legislation calling for the creation of statewide Veterans Treatment Courts and at least four others have legislation pending.
Download current state legislation here:
Illinois - Public Act 096-0093
Nevada - Assembly Bill No. 187
Fmr. NADCP Board Chair Judge Chuck Simmons joins Rep. Patrick Kennedy and Sen. John Kerry for the introduction of the SERV Act to the House and Senate.
SERV Act Co-Sponsors
House
Rep Boozman, John (AR-3)
Rep Boren, Dan (OK-2)
Rep Brown, Corrine (FL-3)
Rep Filner, Bob (CA-51)
Rep Green, Al (TX-9)
Rep Hall, John J. (NY-19)
Rep Higgins, Brian (NY-27)
Rep Lee, Christopher J. (NY-26)
Rep Massa, Eric J. J. (NY-29)
Rep McGovern, James P. (MA-3)
Rep McNerney, Jerry (CA-11)
Rep Michaud, Michael H. (ME-2)
Rep Peterson, Collin C. (MN-7)
Rep Rodriguez, Ciro D. (TX-23)
Rep Sablan, Gregorio (MP)
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. (IL-9)
Rep Schauer, Mark H. (MI-7)
Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh (NY-28)
Rep Sullivan, John (OK-1)
Rep Walz, Timothy J. (MN-1)
Senate
Sen Durbin, Richard (IL)
Sen Inouye, Daniel K. (HI)
Sen Murkowski, Lisa (AK)