SB135 Summary

• Adds Chapter 58 to Title 22 of the Alabama Code to address Alabama veterans' behavioral health needs through collaboration between the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) and Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA).

• Establishes the Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee with representatives from ADMH, ADVA, state agencies, the National Guard, legislature, veterans service organizations, mental health providers, and state leadership to develop a comprehensive behavioral health plan by January 1, 2025.

• Authorizes ADMH to establish pilot projects providing evidence-based services including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for PTSD, traumatic brain injury screenings, integrated behavioral health and primary care models, and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic services.

• Requires ADMH and ADVA to present the comprehensive plan to legislative Veterans and Military Affairs Committees by April 1, 2025, and to the Governor by June 30, 2025, for approval by August 31, 2025.

• Implementation is contingent on new legislative appropriations, with ADMH required to report annually to the committee on veterans served, services provided, and funding expended.