100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB2654

 

Introduced , by Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
20 ILCS 2805/2h new

    Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Provides that the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall provide training to frontline employees at veterans service organizations established under the Act on mental health services to identify veterans who might be at risk of suicidal thoughts. Provides that the training may include, but not be limited to, mental health first aid training and amplified suicide advanced training programs. Provides that the Department shall provide assistance to Veterans Assistance Commissions established under the Military Veterans Assistance Act and veterans' service associations, including, but not limited to, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and AMVETS, in providing the training. Provides that the Department shall find combat veterans to serve as veteran service officers at veterans service organizations established under the Act for the purpose of having veteran services officers who are able to properly relate to fellow combat veterans. Requires the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement these provisions.


LRB100 10893 MJP 21128 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB2654LRB100 10893 MJP 21128 b

1    AN ACT concerning State government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Department of Veterans Affairs Act is
5amended by adding Section 2h as follows:
 
6    (20 ILCS 2805/2h new)
7    Sec. 2h. Task Force on Veterans' Suicide recommendations.
8The provisions of this Section are based on the recommendations
9in the final report of the Task Force on Veterans' Suicide,
10published on December 30, 2016. The Department shall adopt any
11rules necessary to implement this Section.
12    The Department shall provide training to frontline
13employees at veterans service organizations established under
14this Act on mental health services to identify veterans who
15might be at risk of suicidal thoughts. This training may
16include, but not be limited to, mental health first aid
17training and amplified suicide advanced training programs. The
18Department shall provide assistance to Veterans Assistance
19Commissions established under Section 9 of the Military
20Veterans Assistance Act and veterans' service associations,
21including, but not limited to, the American Legion, Veterans of
22Foreign Wars, and AMVETS, in providing the training under this
23paragraph to the employees of the Veterans Assistance

 

 

HB2654- 2 -LRB100 10893 MJP 21128 b

1Commissions and veterans' service associations.
2    The Department shall find combat veterans to serve as
3veteran service officers at veterans service organizations
4established under this Act for the purpose of having veteran
5services officers who are able to properly relate to fellow
6combat veterans.