S.F. _____ Section 1. Section 225C.4, subsection 1, Code 2009, is 1 amended by adding the following new paragraph: 2 NEW PARAGRAPH . t. Coordinate with the mental health 3 planning and advisory council created pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 4 300x-3 to ensure the council membership includes representation 5 by a military veteran who is knowledgeable concerning the 6 behavioral and mental health issues of veterans. 7 Sec. 2. Section 225C.5, subsection 1, Code Supplement 2009, 8 is amended by adding the following new paragraph: 9 NEW PARAGRAPH . jj. One member who is a military veteran 10 and who is knowledgeable concerning the behavioral and mental 11 health issues of veterans. 12 EXPLANATION 13 This bill provides representation of military veterans on 14 certain mental health policy bodies. 15 Code section 225C.4, relating to the duties of the 16 administrator of the division of mental health and disability 17 services of the department of human services, is amended to 18 direct the administrator to coordinate with the mental health 19 planning and advisory council created pursuant to federal law 20 to ensure the council membership includes representation by a 21 military veteran who is knowledgeable concerning the behavioral 22 and mental health issues of veterans. The council operates 23 with its own bylaws and its membership is subject to federal 24 requirements requiring certain state agencies to be represented 25 and imposing a membership percentage limitation on the members 26 who are state employees or providers of mental health services. 27 Code section 225C.5, creating the mental health, mental 28 retardation, developmental disabilities, and brain injury 29 commission, is amended to add a new membership slot for a 30 military veteran who is knowledgeable concerning the behavioral 31 and mental health issues of veterans. Under current law the 32 commission has 17 voting members appointed by the governor and 33 confirmed by the senate. 34 -1- LSB 5996XC (4) 83 jp/sc 1/ 1