Committee backs bill to codify veterans suicide-prevention program and send it to Appropriations
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Summary
The subcommittee voted 9–0 to report House Bill 529, which would codify the Department of Veterans Services' suicide-prevention program into law to enable long-term planning, require better interagency data-sharing, and authorize opioid and substance-use training and resources for veterans.
Delegate Thornton presented House Bill 529, saying the Department of Veterans Services' suicide-prevention program reached more than 48,000 veterans and military-connected constituents in fiscal years 24–25 but lacks codification that would enable long-term planning. Thornton said codifying the program would improve data sharing across state agencies and authorize DVS to provide opioid-addiction and substance-use resources, training and support to federal, state and local agencies.
Brandy Giankaitis, calling in from the Department of Veterans Services, told the committee DVS supports the bill and had worked closely with the patron's office. Thornton asked the subcommittee to report the bill; members moved to report as amended and refer it to Appropriations. The motion passed by a recorded vote of 9 to 0.
The bill text as discussed would codify an existing program into statute and require administrative changes to enable long-term coordination; the committee recorded no substantive opposition on the record.
