VAN DREW BILL AIMED TO HELP VETERANS WHO COMMIT NONVIOLENT OFFENSES ADVANCES

Legislation sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew to create a “Statewide Veterans Diversion Program” aimed at helping veterans and active military who have committed nonviolent offenses by diverting them away from the criminal justice system and into treatment was approved today by the Senate. The diversion program would be available to defendants charged with the commission of a nonviolent petty disorderly persons offense, a disorderly persons offense, or crime of the fourth degree. The program would create diversion and referral services in each county, through a Veterans Diversion Resource Center, which would provide for screening, counseling, treatment and case management for mental health issues and other co-occurring health disorders as well as coordination of services with appropriate federal, state or local agencies offering services to veterans.