The Minnesota Senate on Monday unanimously approved The Veterans Restorative Justice Act, which aims to divert at-risk veterans toward probation and social service programs instead of jail time when they commit certain less-severe crimes. The Senate approved the same bill in both the August and September special sessions, but the House of Representatives chose not to act on it.

“It is unthinkable to me that we would punish a veteran with jail time when they commit a low-level crime due to illnesses they developed during the course of their service,” said Sen. Scott Jensen (R-Chaska). “It’s our duty as Americans to make sure these men and women get the love, support, and treatment they need to get back on the right track. These soldiers fulfilled their promise to us; now we have to keep our promise to them.”

Several counties already have veterans treatment courts that help veterans receive treatment for their less severe crimes instead of prison. The Veterans Restorative Justice Act is not a mandate; it simply provides a statutory set of guidelines for veterans’ treatment in courts.

The bill recommends veterans be eligible for the diversionary program if their offense is below a severity level 7 on the state’s sentencing grid, and that they swear that the offense was committed due to one of several factors: service-connected sexual trauma, a traumatic brain injury, PTSD, a substance abuse disorder, or mental health condition. The court will investigate all claims. Veterans would be required to plead guilty and accept conditions of the court, including remaining sober and completing a treatment program.