H.C.R. NO. 20 - Supporting Establishment of a Veterans Court

• Supports establishment of a veterans court within the Hawaii state circuit court to address criminal cases involving veterans with service-related conditions.

• Identifies that Hawaii has a significant military population with all five branches present and many returning combat veterans who may have post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, and other mental health conditions.

• Notes that veterans courts in other states have successfully rehabilitated veterans through assistance with mental health, substance abuse treatment, housing, employment services, and counseling.

• Recognizes that a veterans court would serve dual purposes of addressing veterans' special needs and reducing overcrowding in Hawaii's prison and jail systems.

• Directs transmission of the resolution to the Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court, Administrative Director of the Courts, Director of Public Safety, and Director of the Office of Veterans' Services.