Bill seeks to aid veterans, law enforcement

U.S. Reps. Young Kim (R-CA), Maria Salazar (R-FL), and Lou Correa (D-CA) are spearheading an effort with colleagues to introduce legislation seeking to aid veterans and law enforcement personnel.

The three legislators recently detailed the Supporting Every at-Risk Veteran in Critical Emergencies (SERVICE) Act.

The measure would establish a pilot program via the Department of Justice providing grants to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies as a means of deploying local veteran response teams of military veteran law enforcement officers responding to other veterans in crisis or emergency.

Additionally, after the emergency is addressed, the legislation stipulates the response team can work further with the veteran to connect them with public and private partner resources to create solutions.

“Our veterans in California’s 39th District and across the nation put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and deserve the best care and resources at our nation’s disposal once they return home,” Kim said. “I cannot think of a better way to support our veterans in times of crisis than by having fellow veterans on the front lines of providing assistance. I’m proud to join my friend Rep. Maria Salazar and a bipartisan group of colleagues to introduce the SERVICE Act and show our veterans that we have their backs as they had ours.”

National President of Vietnam Veterans of America John Rowan said all too often, veterans who have survived combat and have trouble readjusting to civilian life find themselves in conflict with the law and noted Vietnam Veterans of America fully supports the SERVICE Act.

“We know from experience that a veteran is more likely to respond to a fellow veteran in time of crisis,” he said.