Bill Text: MS SB2312 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Committee to Study Veteran Homelessness, Unemployment, PTSD and Human Services; make an annual report to the Legislature.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2022-02-01 - Died In Committee [SB2312 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2022-SB2312-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Veterans and Military Affairs; Public Health and Welfare
By: Senator(s) Blackmon
Senate Bill 2312
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE TO STUDY VETERAN HOMELESSNESS, UNEMPLOYMENT, POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, HUMAN SERVICES AND CERTAIN ISSUES AFFECTING MISSISSIPPI VETERANS, AND MAKE AN ANNUAL REPORT THEREON TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. There is established a Committee to Study Veteran Homelessness, Unemployment, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Human Services, and Certain Issues Affecting Veterans. The committee is comprised of three (3) members of the Senate to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, three (3) members of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, and the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Veterans' Affairs or his designee. The members of the committee shall elect a chairman and a vice chairman and shall meet as often and at any locale in the state as the committee considers necessary or expedient for the duration of the committee's existence as provided by this act. A vacancy on the committee must be filled in the manner of original appointment as provided by this section.
SECTION 2. (1) The committee shall study the following:
(a) The approximate number of homeless veterans residing in this state;
(b) The approximate number of Mississippi veterans who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);
(c) The root causes of veteran homelessness and reasons why traditional Veterans Affairs Services are not alleviating the situation, particularly with regard to job-placement services; and
(d) The availability of basic human services to Mississippi's most economically disadvantaged veterans.
(2) When formulating its findings and recommendations, the committee shall consider information and recommendations from the State Office of Veterans Affairs, representatives of the veteran community, as well as organizations and healthcare facilities that provide services for homeless veterans.
SECTION 3. The committee shall render a written report of its findings and recommendations based upon its study conducted pursuant to Section 2 of this act. The report must be presented to both houses of the Legislature and to the Governor no later than January 31, 2023. Upon presenting the written report in accordance with the provisions of this section, the committee may continue and make subsequent annual reports subject to available funds.
SECTION 4. The committee shall receive clerical and related assistance from the staff of the Mississippi Department of Veterans Affairs.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.
