OH SB179

Requires Ohio correctional institutions, courts, probation departments, pre-trial diversion programs, and county veterans service commissions to designate staff to verify the veteran status of incarcerated individuals and those charged with crimes punishable by incarceration

Mandates use of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Veteran's Reentry Search Service to verify veteran status, with staff training provided at no cost through the VA's Veterans Justice Outreach program

Requires verified veteran status to be documented on appropriate records, including the county jail register maintained by sheriffs

Obligates institutions to assist verified veterans in connecting with veteran-related services, including the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, county veteran service commissions, veteran service organizations, and community organizations that help veterans access federal, state, or local resources

Authorizes county veterans service commissions to provide financial assistance to veterans treatment courts and to hire staff to work at such courts as part of veteran outreach programs