HB5823eng 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB5823 Engrossed LRB096 18075 KTG 33450 b

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Veterans Affairs Act is amended by adding Section 36 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2805/36 new)

Sec. 36. Mobile assistance units.

(a) Subject to appropriations, the Department shall establish a program to make grants to entities for providing mental health and preventive health services, as well as assistance in obtaining other available services, using mobile units as provided in this Section. The Department shall issue requests for proposals to provide these services.

(b) The services provided under the program shall target homeless veterans and other veterans facing obstacles to obtaining needed care or services, including those residing in rural and medically underserved areas. The mobile assistance units shall travel to various locations to provide services, including local veterans organization facilities and facilities serving the homeless.

(c) Services provided through the mobile assistance units may include, but need not be limited to, the following:

(1) Mental health screenings.

(2) Preventive health care.

(3) Crisis intervention.

(4) Assistance in accessing services provided through the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or any other federal, State, or local agency and services provided by private organizations.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.