HJR151 Summary

• Creates a 9-member Task Force on Veterans' Suicide to investigate causes and prevention strategies for veteran suicides in Alabama, with members appointed by the Commissioner of Veterans' Affairs (chair), legislative leaders, and state agency commissioners.

• Addresses Alabama's veteran suicide crisis: in 2016, the veteran suicide rate was 60% higher than civilians and 9% higher than other southern states, with veterans accounting for 16.6% of all suicide deaths in the state.

• Requires the task force to meet with AlaVetNet within 60 days, coordinate with nonprofit groups and student veteran organizations, and hold at least one town hall meeting in municipalities with populations exceeding 70,000.

• Task force members receive no compensation except per diem and travel reimbursement; the Department of Veterans' Affairs provides administrative support.

• Task force must submit quarterly progress reports and a final report with legislative recommendations within 2 years of enactment, then dissolves upon submission of final report.