HJR151 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Neil RaffertyRepresentative
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Veterans' suicide, task force established
Summary: Establishes the Alabama Task Force on Veterans' Suicide to study causes and prevention and to make legislative recommendations within two years.
What This Bill Does
It creates a nine-member Task Force on Veterans' Suicide to investigate causes and prevention and to make recommendations to the Legislature. Members are appointed by various state leaders and agencies, with emphasis on diversity and veteran representation, and they serve without pay beyond per diem. The Department of Veterans' Affairs will provide administrative support, and the task force must coordinate with AlaVetNet, nonprofit groups, student veteran organizations, and colleges. It must hold at least one town hall in large municipalities and provide quarterly progress reports, culminating in a final report with potential legislative recommendations within two years, after which the task force will be dissolved.

Who It Affects
Veterans in Alabama, who may benefit from focused study, information sharing, and policy recommendations aimed at reducing veteran suicide.
State and local government and agencies involved in appointments and operations (e.g., Department of Veterans' Affairs, Department of Public Health, Department of Human Resources, and legislative leaders), who will organize, fund per diems, and coordinate the task force's work.

Key Provisions
Nine-member Task Force on Veterans' Suicide with specific appointment roles including a veteran chair appointed by the Commissioner of Veterans' Affairs and members appointed by legislative leaders and state agency heads.
Appointments should reflect gender, race, and geographic diversity, with a goal of appointing a veteran where practicable.
Members serve without compensation beyond per diem or travel reimbursement paid by the appointing authority.
Department of Veterans' Affairs shall provide administrative and other support to the task force.
Within 60 days of the first meeting, the task force must meet with AlaVetNet to coordinate information dissemination and consult on related issues; it must also coordinate with nonprofit groups and student veteran organizations and colleges.
At least one town hall meeting must be held in municipalities with populations over 70,000.
Task force must submit quarterly progress reports to the Legislature.
Task force must present findings and recommendations for legislation, if any, within two years and be dissolved after submitting its report.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Resolutions, Legislative