Should NH have more veterans courts?

On Thursday, March 23 the New Hampshire House will vote on HB 652, a bill that authorizes veterans courts in New Hampshire. 

Such courts offer veterans with mental illness and/or substance use disorder the opportunity to complete court-monitored treatment rather than go to jail for a crime.  If the veteran fails to meet requirements set by the court, he or she may still be prosecuted in regular court.

New Hampshire already has some veterans courts operating within the mental health court system.  The first veterans court started in the Nashua Circuit Court in 2014, with no special funding.   A veterans court started in the Manchester Circuit Court last June. 

These courts are not officially authorized by law, however.  HB 652 would add veterans courts to the laws that already authorize mental health courts and drug courts.

Bill supporters argue the state should recognize that veteran offenders are more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and addiction.  At the same time, those veterans have access to federally-funded treatment opportunities unavailable to other offenders.

Some may argue the bill is unnecessary, however, since veterans courts are already operating under the umbrella of New Hampshire mental health courts. 

Veterans courts operating in other states have also sparked debate about whether domestic violence offenders and other violent offenders should have access to veterans courts.  HB 652 does not address which offenses would and would not be eligible for the veterans court track.

Do you support HB 652?  Share your opinion in the comments below.