Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara announced that he co-sponsored and helped pass a bill that supports the unique needs of veterans by expanding the number of veterans treatment courts across New York State (A.5719).

“We owe a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who defend our great nation and we must acknowledge the transition back to civilian life isn’t always easy. Combat experiences sometimes take a great toll on their well-being,” Santabarbara said. "The trauma veterans experience often leads to mental illness, depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that can affect decisions in daily life. We absolutely cannot leave these veterans behind. This bill provides New York veterans with the support and resources they need, rather than leaving them in a system that cannot support their unique needs.”

Ginger Kusek, retired Sergeant First Class, and current Post Service Office, Past Post Commander, and Past District 3 Commander of VFW Post 1895, shared her remarks in support of the bill, “The Veterans Treatment Court is a vanguard for treatment for those Veterans who have been engaged in criminal actions after serving in the United States Military.This is a program once expanded that will help many Veterans.”

Veterans treatment courts, which are similar to drug treatment and mental health courts, provide veterans facing criminal prosecution who suffer from addiction or mental illness with access to community-based services and veterans’ agencies as well as connect them with peer mentors to help them successfully transition back to civilian life.^[1] The first veterans treatment court in the nation was created in Buffalo in 2008 and there are now 35 courts across New York.^[2]

To help expand access to more veterans, the legislation increases the number of counties in which veterans treatment courts are located (A.5719). It also authorizes transferring a criminal case against a veteran where charges are pending in a county that doesn’t have a veterans treatment court to an adjoining county that does. Currently, the capital region only offers veterans treatment courts in Albany and Rensselaer County.^[3]

Santabarbara, who served in the US Army Reserve from 1990-1998, has been a strong advocate for veterans during his time in office and continues to fight to ensure they have the programs and services they need as a long standing member of the State Assembly’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

^[1] ww2.nycourts.gov/courts/problem-solving/vet/index.shtml

^[2] nyassembly.gov/leg/?default_fld=&leg_video=&bn=A05719&term=2021&Summary=Y&Memo=Y

^[3] http://ww2.nycourts.gov/courts/problem_solving/vet/courts.shtml