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SB-783 Veterans: suicide.(2023-2024)

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Date Published: 05/19/2023 01:22 PM
SB783:v96#DOCUMENT

Amended  IN  Senate  May 18, 2023
Amended  IN  Senate  May 01, 2023
Amended  IN  Senate  March 22, 2023

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 783

Introduced by Senator Archuleta
(Coauthor: Senator Rubio)

February 17, 2023

An act to add and repeal Article 6 (commencing with Section 976) of Chapter 5 of Division 4 of the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans, and making an appropriation therefor. veterans.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 783, as amended, Archuleta. Veterans: suicide.
Existing law establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs, which administers various programs that provide benefits to veterans, including educational assistance and farm and home purchase assistance. Existing law authorizes each county to appoint a veterans service officer. Existing law requires that these officers administer aid to veterans, investigate veterans’ claims and requests relating to veterans’ aid, and to perform any other veteran-related services as requested by the county board of supervisors.
This bill, until January 1, 2029, would authorize the Counties of Los Angeles and Nevada to create a veteran suicide prevention training pilot program to offer individuals in each county specialized training and certification in suicide prevention with military-connected populations. The bill would require the program to train individuals to identify indicators of elevated suicide risk and provide emergency crisis intervention and referrals for veterans, as specified.
This bill would require counties establishing the program to collaborate to hire a suicide prevention subject matter expert (SME) with expertise in implementation and dissemination of evidence-based practices and evidence-informed interventions with military-connected populations. The bill would require the SME to, among other things, develop an individualized intense training curriculum based on the needs of the counties and to develop a process for collaboration and communication with current community partners. The bill would also require the counties in the program to submit a report to the Legislature on or before September 15, 2026. The bill would appropriate $100,000 for the creation of this program.
Vote: TWO_THIRDSMAJORITY   Appropriation: YESNO   Fiscal Committee: YESNO   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Article 6 (commencing with Section 976) is added to Chapter 5 of Division 4 of the Military and Veterans Code, to read:
Article  6. Veteran Suicide Prevention Training Pilot Program

976.
 (a) The Counties of Los Angeles and Nevada may create a veteran suicide prevention training pilot program in those counties, to offer individuals in each county specialized training and certification in suicide prevention with military-connected populations to ensure high-risk veterans get streamlined and prioritized access to effective services.
(b) (1) Individuals being trained by the pilot program shall be trained to identify indicators of elevated suicide risk and provide emergency crisis intervention and referrals for veterans expressing or exhibiting symptoms of emotional or psychological distress. The training shall go beyond traditional gatekeeper training. Counties establishing a program pursuant to this section shall collaborate to hire a suicide prevention subject matter expert (SME) with expertise in implementation and dissemination of evidence-based practices and evidence-informed interventions with military-connected populations.
(2) The SME shall conduct a thorough needs assessment of unique training needs of the counties and develop an individualized intense training curriculum based on those needs and consistent with clinical practice guidelines put forth by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States Department of Defense.
(3) The SME shall develop a process for collaboration and communication with current community partners and shall help develop processes for collaboration and consistency among these agencies.
(4) The SME, in each county, shall conduct a data-driven assessment of outcomes, including compliance with developed metrics of success, to better understand the outcomes of this process, as well as modifications to be made.
(c) Counties establishing a pilot program pursuant to this article shall adopt rules, policies, and procedures necessary to implement the pilot program.
(d) (1) Counties establishing a pilot program pursuant to this article shall submit a report to the Legislature on or before September 15, 2026. The report shall include both of the following:
(A) Information concerning the pilot program and whether any changes should be made to the pilot program to increase its effectiveness.
(B) A recommendation of whether the pilot program should be continued or expanded to other counties.
(2) A report to be submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(e) For purposes of this section, “individuals” means nonclinicians, including paraprofessionals and peers.
(f) This article shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 2.

The sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund for the purposes of creating a pilot program pursuant to Section 976 of the Military and Veterans Code, to be distributed as follows:

(a)The sum of ___ for distribution to the County of Los Angeles.

(b)The sum of ___ for distribution to the County of Nevada.