SERVICE Act of 2024 seeks DOJ pilot program, grants for local veteran response teams

As a way to support veterans, U.S. Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Dale Strong (R-AL), Lou Correa (D-CA), and Glenn Ivey (D-MD) recently introduced legislation that would offer local law enforcement grants to create veteran response teams for use during emergencies.

Cosponsored by 13 additional lawmakers, the Supporting Every at-Risk Veteran in Critical Emergencies (SERVICE) Act (H.R. 8140) would authorize the Attorney General to create a pilot program, backed by grants, for local law enforcement agencies. With that funding, law enforcement officers would be expected to form local response teams composed of veterans, for veterans.

“Research shows that when a veteran is in crisis, they are most receptive to help and support provided by fellow veterans,” Salazar said. “Nearly 20 percent of our U.S. law enforcement has served in the military, and they are undoubtedly the most well-equipped to respond to other veterans in need. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedoms, and we owe them the best care possible when they return from their service.”

The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that approximately 25 percent of law enforcement officers have backgrounds in military service.

As proposed, the legislation dictates that response team members would need to be available all day every day to respond to cases of veterans in crisis, be they mental health episodes or substance abuse situations. This is because of the high suicide risk among veterans. According to the VA, in 2021 alone 6,392 veterans committed suicide, and many were not even receiving care from the VA. As such, after initial contact, members of these team would help connect affected individuals with community and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resources.

“Veterans have served us in our nation’s time of need,” Ivey said. “Now we must keep this sacred covenant to serve our veterans in their darkest hour. The SERVICE Act will help them get mental health services and prevent suicides. Service men and women who now face PTSD, psycho-social trauma, and physical symptoms of being in war zones across our world must get treatment for what ails them. My father and father-in-law both served in the military, so I know what it means to be a part of a military family. They deserve the respect and dignity of getting the care they rightly earned. I co-lead this bill because this is about doing what’s best for veterans in crisis and helping our law enforcement personnel assist in this effort.”

Outside of Congress, the legislation is backed by the American Legion, Hope for the Warriors, and Vietnam Veterans of America organizations.