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RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PASS H.R. 4345, A BILL ENTITLTED THE VETERAN TREATMENT COURT COORDINATION ACT OF 2017, OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION

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WHEREAS, on November 9, 2017 United States Representatives Charlie Crist (D � Florida) and Jeff Denham (R � California) introduced H.R. 4345, a bill entitled the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2017, for consideration during the 115th Congress; and
WHEREAS, the bill has been cosponsored by 40 Congressmen, including Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R � Florida); and
WHEREAS, the bill would direct the Attorney General, in conjunction with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to carry out a Veterans Treatment Court Program to provide grants and technical assistance to state circuit court systems in order to develop and maintain veterans treatment courts across the country; and
WHEREAS, veterans treatment courts are programs aimed at helping veterans charged with non-violent crimes receive the help and benefits for which they are entitled, including counseling, care, and support in transitioning to civilian life; and
WHEREAS, veterans� unique needs and challenges are not readily met by the traditional criminal justice system, and veteran treatment courts across the nation will assist veterans experiencing mental health issues, substance abuse, and homelessness; and
WHEREAS, this Board is supportive of measures designed to keep veterans out of the criminal justice system and give them the help they need and deserve,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the United States Congress to pass H.R. 4345, a bill entitled the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2017, or similar legislation.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to United States Representatives Charlie Crist, Jeff Denham, and Mario Diaz-Balart, and the remaining members of the Florida Congressional Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County�s federal lobbyists to advocate for the legislative action described in Section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2018 Federal Legislative Package when it is presented to the Board.