House Bill 1340

AN ACT TO CREATE THE RETURNING VETERANS OF FOREIGN CONFLICT TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE THE DUTIES OF THE TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE STAFF TO ASSIST THE TASK FORCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Returning Veterans of Foreign Conflict Task Force to address mental health issues that veterans face after experiencing combat conditions. The task force shall be comprised of the following eleven (11) members:

(a) The Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives;

(b) The Chairman of the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee of the Mississippi State Senate;

(e) A representative of the United States Army appointed by the Governor;

(f) A representative of the United States Air Force appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(g) A representative of the United States Marine Corps appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(h) A representative of the United States Navy appointed by the Governor;

(i) A representative of the United States Coast Guard appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(j) A representative of the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital system specializing in mental health issues appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(k) The Executive Director of the Department of Mental Health; and

(l) A veteran of a military conflict appointed by the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard.

(2) At its first meeting, the task force shall elect a chairman and a vice chairman from its membership and shall adopt rules for transacting its business and keeping records. Members shall receive a per diem in the amount provided in Section 25-3-69 for each day engaged in the business of the task force. Members of the task force other than legislative members shall receive reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while engaged in official business of the task force in accordance with Section 25-3-41 and the legislative members of the task force shall receive the expense allowance provided for in Section 5-1-47.

(3) The duties of the task force shall be to:

(a) Make a comprehensive study of the mental health and emotional needs facing veterans upon their return home from combat related duty, the benefits of mental and physical evaluation for such veterans, possible medical and therapeutic treatment that may help the veterans make the adjustment from combat to civilian life and any other issues determined by the task force to be in the best interests of the veterans to insure their mental and physical well being.

(b) Examine and study approaches taken by other states and the federal government in the issues facing veterans returning from combat related service.

(4) The Department of Mental Health, the PEER Committee and the Adjutant General shall provide staff to assist the task force in carrying out its duties required by this section.

(5) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2015.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.