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Bill

S 4162

Get Justice-Involved Veterans BACK HOME Act

119th Congress Introduced by Angus King and 1 co-sponsor

Bill creates federal grants for state programs diverting justice-involved veterans to treatment and reentry support instead of traditional criminal prosecution paths.

Introduced in Senate
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4162

Legislative bill overview

The Get Justice-Involved Veterans BACK HOME Act establishes a federal grant program to support states and localities in creating diversion and reentry programs specifically for veterans involved in the criminal justice system. The bill aims to reduce recidivism and incarceration rates by connecting justice-involved veterans with mental health services, substance abuse treatment, housing assistance, and employment support during and after their involvement with courts.

Why is this important

Veterans experience higher rates of certain justice system involvement due to service-related trauma, mental health conditions, and lack of transition support—issues that often go unaddressed in standard criminal justice processes. Targeted diversion and reentry programs can reduce both human suffering and taxpayer costs by addressing root causes rather than cycling veterans through repeated incarceration.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding scope and federal-state coordination: Questions about how grant money flows, whether it adequately funds programs, and whether federal mandates create unfunded burdens on states
  • Program eligibility criteria: Debate over which veterans qualify, what types of offenses are covered, and whether certain serious crimes should exclude participation
  • Effectiveness measurement: Uncertainty about what constitutes success and whether promised outcomes (reduced recidivism, employment rates) will materialize, and by what metrics success is evaluated

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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