Latest news with #R-Centre
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alabama bills would rebrand, expand scope of court diversion programs
Program participant Nathan Shack listens to a service provider give a presentation during veterans treatment court in Anniston, Alabama on March 21, 2023. Two bills moving through the Alabama Legislature would rename drug courts "accountability courts" and allow them to enroll veterans and those with mental illnesses. (Ralph Chapoco/Alabama Reflector) Two bills working their way through the Alabama Legislature would standardize how diversion programs in the state operate. SB 200, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, and HB 360, sponsored by sponsored by Rep. Chad Robertson, R-Heflin, rebrand 'drug courts' to 'accountability courts' and allows courts to assign veterans; people with a mental illness and those with drug addictions to rehabilitation programs instead of the criminal justice system. 'We need a standardized process for veterans to get help around the state,' Jones said in an interview Wednesday. 'And we need more courts, frankly, around the state, to adopt the diversion court model. We need a standardized process, and we need access.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Alabama Senate approved SB 200 on March 18. The House approved HB 360 on March 19. Both bills have moved to the opposite chambers for consideration. States throughout the country have been increasingly using diversion programs for defendants who committed offenses that stem from an underlying issue, such as drug addiction. Supporters say diversion programs reduce both court and incarceration expenses, as as expenses connected to treatment programs. Judges can order people to enter diversion programs in collaboration with prosecutors and treatment providers. Courts are also able to offer accountability to ensure defendants are complying with the conditions of the program and track the progress of defendants. Once defendants complete the rehabilitation program, the record for that offense is expunged and removed from their criminal records. Pretrial diversion programs are effective. And expensive for participants. Court proceedings will resume oftentimes if a person is unable to complete the treatment program or adhere to the conditions outlined by the judge. Under the bills, district attorneys may also remove people from diversion programs for a good reason. 'Right now, statutorily wise, the only courts that are set up by state statute are drug courts,' said Casey Bates, chief of staff for Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sarah Stewart who is helping to craft the legislation. 'A number of different counties have set up mental health courts or veterans courts.' Many times, diversion programs are not available to people unless they reside in an area that offers one they qualify for. 'We wanted to have a framework in place that is going to address any type of court that will be helpful,' Bates said. 'Our goal is to keep people from offending again. We don't want to send them to prison and then have them come back and reoffend. By setting up the accountability court, that is going to be the umbrella for any of the types of courts that are necessary.' The bills require the Administrative Office of the Courts to establish a process and set policies governing diversion programs. The bills were amended as they went through the legislative process to allow courts to accept people referred by municipal courts within their jurisdiction and any contractor that is part of the program must be certified by the Alabama Department of Mental Health. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Medicaid expansion advocates speak in Montgomery
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — People gathered in Montgomery for Medicaid Expansion Advocacy Day on Tuesday. One group, Cover Alabama, said it wants lawmakers and the governor to expand Medicaid. It said nearly 200,000 Alabamians are in the coverage gap. Republicans said they would consider it, but the cost is a concern. 'Our state leaders have the power to fix this, to create a system that ensures people can see a doctor when they're sick, afford the medication they need and get care before a small health issue becomes a crisis,' said Debbie Smith of Cover Alabama. Over 100 pharmacies walk out to support Alabama bill 'But the devil is in the details, right?' state Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre). 'We've seen a lot of federal money evaporate — grants disappear. We want to make sure that if we do this, we can sustain it, and we're not stuck paying a huge cost because we've got to fund state government. We've got to fund education.' Attendees spoke with their lawmakers about the issue after holding a press conference. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama Senate delays vote on restructuring state veterans affairs board
Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, discusses a bill to reorganize the Alabama Board of Veterans Affairs in the Alabama Senate on Feb. 11, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama Senate Tuesday heavily amended and then delayed a bill that would have restructured the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs board. Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, the sponsor of SB 67, asked to have the legislation carried over after it was amended nine times. 'We've heard a lot from our veteran's communities about what's important to them. I think it's best that we give folks some time to marinate on this, look at it, understand it,' Jones said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The bill came after Gov. Kay Ivey fired former Commissioner Kent Davis over a dispute regarding Davis' alleged handling of federal grants offered through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Davis initially refused to step down after Ivey demanded his resignation, but he offered his resignation after meeting with the governor. The Board of Veterans Affairs then asked Davis to withdraw his resignation and voted to keep him, saying they found no wrongdoing, which led to his firing. An attorney for Davis has suggested he is considering pursue legal action. Jones said during the debate the main purpose of the bill would be elevating Veterans Affairs to a cabinet-level position. 'A lot of folks are still hung up on the sort of personality conflict that happened a few months ago,' he said. 'That's not in this bill at all. The main focus is focusing on veterans (and) meeting their needs.' The State Board of Veterans Affairs currently has 17 members. Jones' legislation would have initially shrunk it to nine, but after amendments, it was brought up to 15. The governor would appoint nine members, but two must be affiliated with the Alabama National Guard, one must be a woman and one must be a wartime veteran. The Speaker of the House would have an appointment that would be selected from a list of three names nominated by the largest veteran organization in Alabama and the Pro Tempore of the Senate would have an appointment that would be selected by the second largest veteran organization in the state. Another amendment was added to include two appointments by the lieutenant governor, one at-large and one from a list of three names nominated by the third largest organization. The organizations were not named. An amendment would require that at least five board members be veterans who served on active duty for a period of 60 days or more and have been honorably discharged. An appointing authority would have to give veteran organizations notice and would not be allowed to make an appointment without notice of 30 days. The organization would be able to provide three recommendations for consideration. Another amendment would allow the board to recommend up to three individuals to the governor for appointment as commissioner, though it doesn't have to be considered. It would also provide the commissioner's salary is set by the governor. Jones said he expects the bill to come back to the Senate floor next week. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama lawmakers respond to 2025 State of State address
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — There was an overwhelmingly positive response to Gov. Kay Ivey's State of the State address from lawmakers Tuesday. The governor's priorities of education and public safety align with those of many lawmakers across the state. While many Republican legislators are ready to push forward with the plan, some Democrats have lingering questions. 'I thought there were some things I can certainly agree with,' said House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville). 'I think some of them lack some specificity that I really need to understand.' Daniels said he wants to know more about Ivey's immigration policies. 'The hospitality industry, the construction industry, all these industries that these hardworking men and women are working in, who's going to work those jobs?' Daniels said. 'AI is not mature enough to take over a lot of the jobs that we're talking about, so how is that going to impact our economy?' Alabama lawmakers kickoff 2025 session Meanwhile, state Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre) said border control is a top priority. 'We really got to wrap our heads around that issue,' Jones said. 'We've got to make sure we do our part to support the Trump administration and make sure that we're helping as a state to reign in those illegals that are here and frankly send them back to where they came from.' Tackling crime is an issue lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want to see addressed in 2025. 'When the muscle of the governor's office gets behind something, we can really move some progressive legislation and that's important particularly for our inner cities,' said state Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville). 'I represent an area outside of Birmingham. We have issues there. Montgomery has issues. Mobile has issues. It's very important and time we address it.' 'I think we all agree that law enforcement has their hands full, and we're in full support of law enforcement, but there are always bad apples in any bunch,' Daniels said. 'We want to make sure that the protections are extended to protect those that should not be protected.' Senate Pro Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) said trying to get the whole state to agree on blanket legislation is hard and will bring about pushback, but he said as politicians, they're used to it and will work through any conflicts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
