SB135 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Andrew JonesSenator
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: SB135 creates a state-level framework for planning and coordinating veterans' behavioral health care through collaboration between the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs, including a steering committee, a comprehensive plan, pilot projects, and ongoing oversight.
What This Bill Does
It establishes a Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee to develop a comprehensive plan addressing Alabama veterans' behavioral health needs, with defined membership, quarterly meetings, and Open Meetings Act compliance. It requires ADMH and ADVA to create and align a comprehensive plan with state and national standards, including consultation with federal agencies as appropriate, and to complete the needs assessment and plan by specified dates. It authorizes pilot projects funded through competitive processes that may include EMDR for PTSD, TBI screening, integrated behavioral health and primary care, and other evidence-based approaches, with implementation contingent on new funding and compliant with program rules.

Who It Affects
Alabama veterans and their immediate family members would benefit from a coordinated behavioral health plan and access to pilot programs addressing PTSD, TBI, substance use, and overall well-being.
State agencies and partner organizations (ADMH, ADVA, veterans service organizations, and contracted mental health providers) would design, fund, and implement the comprehensive plan and pilot projects, plus collect and report data.

Key Provisions
Creates Chapter 58 in Title 22 to establish the Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee with specified members (ADMH Commissioner, ADVA Commissioner, other agency heads, legislators, veterans' organizations, certified providers, and state leaders) and requires quarterly meetings and Open Meetings Act compliance.
Requires development of a Comprehensive Plan to address veterans' behavioral health needs, including reviews of current services, needs assessments, and coordination with the US Department of Veterans Affairs and SAMHSA, with completion targets (needs review by Jan 1, 2025; plan to Governor by June 30, 2025; Governor to act by Aug 31, 2025).
Authorizes pilot projects using existing evidence-based services certified by ADMH or through organizations seeking ADMH certification, funded via a fair RFP process, and may include EMDR therapy for PTSD, integrated TB I screening, and integrated behavioral health and primary care models; projects may meet SAMHSA criteria for the CCBHC model.
Requires implementation only with new appropriations; bids for services through competitive procurement; ADMH and ADVA collaborate in proposal review; compliance with federal ethics laws; potential recovery of funds if requirements are not met; ongoing updates and annual reviews to align with standards.
Establishes reporting and oversight provisions, including annual updates on veterans served, services provided, and funding used; the plan and pilot results must be aligned with state and national behavioral health standards and submitted for Governor approval.
Effective date: the act becomes June 1, 2024, with phased steps for committee appointments, plan development, and implementation contingent on funding.

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