Real Justice for Our Veterans Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4035
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Introduced: 2021-06-22 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Crime prevention
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Detention of persons
Drug therapy
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Government information and archives
Law enforcement administration and funding
Mental health
Racial and ethnic relations
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Specialized courts
State and local government operations
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-22
text: 

Real Justice for Our Veterans Act of 2021

 
This bill expands data collection on the effectiveness of veteran treatment court programs, incentivizes local governments to improve retention rates in veteran treatment court programs and drug courts, and expands options for veterans to participate in drug courts. 
 
First, the bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to report on the effectiveness of veteran treatment court programs. The report must assess the population served by the programs, whether the programs use evidence-based treatments, the recidivism rates of participants, and program completion rates. 
 
Second, the bill requires DOJ's Bureau of Justice Assistance to implement a pilot program (1) to provide training and technical assistance to state and local conviction review entities, and (2) to make grants for local governments to improve retention in veteran treatment court programs and drug courts.
 
Finally, this bill allows a veteran (including a veteran who is a violent offender) to participate in a drug court program instead of a veteran treatment court program if a jurisdiction does not operate a veteran treatment court program.

action_date: 2021-10-25
text: 

Real Justice for Our Veterans Act of 2021

 
This bill expands data collection on the effectiveness of veteran treatment court programs, incentivizes local governments to improve retention rates in veteran treatment court programs and drug court programs, and expands options for veterans to participate in drug court programs. 
 
First, the bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to report on the effectiveness of veteran treatment court programs. The report must assess the population served by the programs, whether the programs use evidence-based treatments, the recidivism rates of participants, and program completion rates. The report must also assess whether women and racial and ethnic minorities have equal access to the programs and an equal opportunity to participate. 
 
Second, the bill requires DOJ's Bureau of Justice Assistance to implement a pilot program to make grants for local governments to improve retention in veteran treatment court programs and drug court programs.
 
Finally, this bill allows a veteran (including a veteran who is a violent offender) to participate in a drug court program instead of a veteran treatment court program if a jurisdiction does not operate a veteran treatment court program.

action_date: 2021-10-27
text: 

Real Justice for Our Veterans Act of 2021

 
This bill expands data collection on the effectiveness of veteran treatment court programs, incentivizes local governments to improve retention rates in veteran treatment court programs and drug court programs, and expands options for veterans to participate in drug court programs. 
 
First, the bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to report on the effectiveness of veteran treatment court programs. The report must assess the population served by the programs, whether the programs use evidence-based treatments, the recidivism rates of participants, and program completion rates. The report must also assess whether women and racial and ethnic minorities have equal access to the programs and an equal opportunity to participate. 
 
Second, the bill requires DOJ's Bureau of Justice Assistance to implement a pilot program to make grants for local governments to improve retention in veteran treatment court programs and drug court programs.
 
Finally, this bill allows a veteran (including a veteran who is a violent offender) to participate in a drug court program instead of a veteran treatment court program if a jurisdiction does not operate a veteran treatment court program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-10-27
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2021-10-27
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5940)
action_date: 2021-10-27
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5940)
action_date: 2021-10-27
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4035.
action_date: 2021-10-27
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5940-5942)
action_date: 2021-10-27
text: Ms. Jackson Lee moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2021-10-25
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 112.
action_date: 2021-10-25
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-154.
action_date: 2021-10-25
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-154.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-06-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-06-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-22
text: Introduced in House