0925_Evers_Files_Veterans

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Evers Files Veteran's Bills

North Escambia - September 26, 2011

During the first week of committee meetings for the 2012 legislative session, local Sen. Greg Evers filed or cosponsored three veterans’ related bills.

Senate Bill 138, or the “T. Patt Maney Veterans’ Treatment Intervention Act,” would provide that veterans found to have committed a criminal offense may have a hearing on that issue before sentencing — when they maintain that the offense resulted from post-traumatic stress disorder or other physical or psychological problem that stemmed from service in combat in the military.

“Through the creation of these ‘veteran’s courts’ it is my sincere hope that we can provide the necessary treatment to the men and women who served our country in wartime,” Ever said of the bill he cosponsored.

Ever also cosponsored Senate Bill 94 would allow priority course registration for veterans who meet eligibility requirements at Florida College System institutions and state universities. It would also encourage independent post-secondary schools to provide priority course registration for veterans.

Evers filed Senate Bill 310 to provide for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to issue Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross and Air Force Cross license plates, without requiring payment of the license tax, to service men and women who received those awards.