HB197 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chip BrownRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Veterans, to establish and operate a statewide integrated health care system dedicated to Alabama veterans and their immediate family members.

Summary

HB197 would create a state-wide, coordinated plan and oversight for addressing Alabama veterans' behavioral health needs through collaboration between the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs, including pilot programs and funding.

What This Bill Does

HB197 creates the Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee to develop a Comprehensive Plan addressing veterans' behavioral health needs, with members from the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other state and veteran organizations, meeting at least quarterly. It requires ADMH and ADVA to collaborate, review current services, assess needs, and align the plan with state and national behavioral health standards, including consultation with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and SAMHSA. The bill authorizes pilot projects funded by ADMH through a competitive RFP process, covering topics such as EMDR therapy for PTSD, TBI screening integrated with behavioral health, integrated behavioral health and primary care, and CCBHC-model care. It sets a timeline for presenting the plan to the Governor for approval by mid-2025 and allows implementation if new funds are provided, with annual reporting and a mechanism to recover funds if requirements are not met.

Who It Affects

• Alabama veterans and their immediate family members, who could benefit from improved behavioral health services and new pilot programs.
• ADMH, ADVA, other state mental health and veteran service providers, and veterans organizations that would coordinate, implement, and manage the pilot projects and funding.

Key Provisions

• Section establishes Chapter 58 of Title 22 to require collaboration between the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) and the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) to create a Comprehensive Plan addressing veterans' behavioral health needs.
• Creates the Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee with defined members (including ADMH and ADVA commissioners, other state agencies, legislators, governor/lt. governor designees, and veterans organizations), quarterly meetings, and diversity priorities in appointments.
• Requires ADMH and ADVA to develop a Comprehensive Plan, review current veteran behavioral health services and needs, and consult with the U.S. VA and SAMHSA, aligning with state and national standards.
• Authorizes pilot projects funded by ADMH, through a competitive RFP process, using existing certified services or organizations seeking ADMH certification, on topics such as EMDR for PTSD, integrated TBI screenings, integrated behavioral health and primary care, and CCBHC-style models.
• Sets timeline for plan development and approval: proposed plan to the committees by April 1, 2025; Governor to act by August 31, 2025; implementation contingent on new appropriations and funding.
• Requires procurement and contracting for pilot projects through competitive processes, with ADMH and ADVA collaborating in selection and compliance with ethics laws; funding recovery provisions if recipients fail to meet requirements.
• Mandates annual updates to the committee on pilot progress, an annual review with recommendations aligned to standards, and annual reporting of veterans served, services provided, and funding expended.
• Effective date: June 1, 2024, with the act creating the framework and responsibilities.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Military