Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

S.B. 214 (2015GS)

Sponsor

Sen. Knudson, P.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/30/2015

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• authorizes the Judicial Council to create veterans courts in each judicial district or a regional veterans court based on veteran geographic populations;
• specifies which veterans may be eligible for the court's consideration for participation in a veterans court and affiliated intervention programs;
• authorizes the court to seek federal funding to assist with the veterans courts;
• provides for participation by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Justice Outreach Program; and
• requires an annual written report not later than October 1 of each year to the Veterans' and Military Affairs Commission.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

VETERANS COURT
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Peter C. Knudson
House Sponsor: 
Paul Ray
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill authorizes the creation of veterans courts statewide.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ authorizes the Judicial Council to create veterans courts in each judicial district or a
regional veterans court based on veteran geographic populations;
▸ specifies which veterans may be eligible for the court's consideration for
participation in a veterans court and affiliated intervention programs;
▸ authorizes the court to seek federal funding to assist with the veterans courts;
▸ provides for participation by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Justice Outreach Program; and
▸ requires an annual written report not later than October 1 of each year to the
Veterans' and Military Affairs Commission.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
78A-5-301
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
78A-5-301
 is enacted to read:
 78A-5-301.
Creation of a veterans court program -- Definition of a veterans court
program -- Criteria for participation in a veterans court program -- Reporting
requirements.
(1) The Judicial Council may create a veterans court program in any judicial district or
geographic region that demonstrates:
(a) the need for a veterans court program; and
(b) the existence of a collaborative strategy between the court, prosecutors, defense
counsel, corrections, substance abuse treatment services, and the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs Veterans Justice Outreach Program to divert veteran offenders.
(2) The collaborative strategy in each veterans court program shall:
(a) include monitoring and evaluation components to measure program effectiveness;
and
(b) be submitted, for the purpose of coordinating the disbursement of funding, to the
Administrative Office of the Courts.
(3) A veterans court program shall include continuous judicial supervision using a
cooperative approach with prosecutors, defense counsel, corrections, substance abuse treatment
services, and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Justice Outreach
Program as appropriate to promote public safety, protect participants' due process rights, and
integrate veteran diversion treatment programs with the justice system case processing.
(4) Screening criteria for participation in a veterans court program shall include:
(a) a plea to, conviction of, or adjudication for a criminal offense;
(b) frequent alcohol and other drug testing, if appropriate;
(c) participation in veteran diversion outreach programs, including substance abuse
treatment programs where appropriate; and
(d) sanctions for noncompliance with diversion and substance abuse programs'
requirements.
(5) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall submit in writing by October 1 of
each year, an annual report on each veterans court, including:
(a) types of programs;
(b) number of veteran participants;
(c) outcomes for veteran participants; and
(d) recommendations for future veterans court programs, including expansion and
funding.