Committee backs $1 million for nonprofit veterans mental-health grants
Summary
The committee approved HB2320, a bill that would appropriate $1 million for grants to nonprofits to provide behavioral and mental health services for veterans; sponsors said the policy stands even if funding changes.
The House Federalism, Military Affairs and Elections Committee on Feb. 7 gave a due-pass recommendation to HB2320, which would appropriate $1,000,000 from a consumer-restoration subaccount to the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services for grants to nonprofits providing mental and behavioral health services to veterans.
Why it matters: Sponsors and veterans' advocates said the grants support clinical and wraparound services for veterans, including programs already operated by partners such as Home Base and Arizona State University.
What supporters said: The bill sponsor noted the program already operates informally and that last year the legislature approved the policy unfunded; "even if it is not funded, we still want the policy," the sponsor said. Michael Enfanson, speaking for Arizona veterans, said the group supports the appropriation and cited concerns about veteran suicide: "The VA data is 17 veterans commit suicide a day nationwide. Last data is over 30 in the state of Arizona." The sponsor and supporters said the policy has local examples of clinical benefit and requested that the budget committees identify a permanent funding source if the consumer-remediation subaccount is unavailable.
Vote: The committee returned HB2320 with a due-pass recommendation (6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent). The motion moves the bill to the full House for consideration.
Ending: Sponsors said they will seek budget adjustments in the regular budgeting process if the designated account is not available and stressed the bill's policy importance independent of the appropriation.
