A bill has passed the State Senate to create the Arkansas Legislative Study on Veterans Affairs. The measure brings together a number of committees to conduct a legislative study to examine veterans’ issues within Arkansas, including the occurrence of veteran suicide among Arkansas’ veteran population.
The meeting committees are Aging, Children and Youth, and the Legislative and Military Affairs and the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs.
The study will begin within 60 days and will meet at a number of sites throughout the state to best serve and meet with veterans. At minimum, the study will meet once every three months but can occur more often.
In total, the study will review risk factors for suicide in veterans, options for prevention and reduction, the availability and accessibility of mental care, and best practices.
Findings will be presented on or before December 1, 2020.
State Sen. Trent Garner and Rep. Wardlaw sponsored Senate Bill 4.
