Bill Text: MS HB1268 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced

Mississippi House Bill 1268

Introduced

Bill Title: MS Save Our Service Member Task Force; create to study and make recommendations concerning mental health needs of military members.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 12-2-1)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-29 - Title Suff Do Pass [HB1268 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2025-HB1268-Introduced.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2025 Regular Session

To: Military Affairs

By: Representatives Hall, Bell (21st), Blackwell, Burch, Carpenter, Grady, Hawkins, Hulum, Keen, Lott, McMillan, Pigott, Varner, Yates

House Bill 1268

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI SAVE OUR SERVICE MEMBER TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES OF THE TASK FORCE; TO REQUIRE THE TASK FORCE TO SUBMIT A REPORT ON ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2026; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Mississippi Save Our Service Member Task Force. The purpose of the task force is to unite key stakeholders in order to assess the mental health needs of military veterans and current members of the Mississippi National Guard and to develop a strategic plan and proposed legislation addressing mental health issues and the prevention of suicide.

(2) The task force shall be composed of the following fifteen (15) members:

(a) The Chairs of the House Military Affairs Committee and the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, or their designees from their respective committee membership;

(b) The Chairs of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee and the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, or their designees from their respective committee membership;

(d) Two (2) psychiatrists experienced in treating service members confronting mental health issues or suicidal ideation, or both, with one (1) member being appointed by the Governor and one (1) member being appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(e) Two (2) chaplains in the Mississippi National Guard, appointed by the Adjutant General;

(f) One (1) company grade military officer with command experience, appointed by the Adjutant General;

(g) One (1) noncommissioned officer with first sergeant experience, appointed by the senior enlisted advisor for the Mississippi National Guard;

(h) One (1) field grade officer with battalion commander experience, appointed by the Adjutant General;

(i) One (1) noncommissioned officer with commander sergeant major experience, appointed by the senior enlisted advisor for the Mississippi National Guard;

(j) One (1) employee of a university counseling center, or a person otherwise responsible for coordinating or providing student mental health services on campus, appointed by the Governor; and

(k) One (1) employee of a community mental health provider that provides services to veterans and service members, appointed by the Governor.

(3) The task force shall perform the following duties:

(a) Assess the needs of Mississippi's military force by gathering input from veterans and current National Guard members about mental health challenges and reviewing existing resources and identifying gaps in mental health support services and suicide prevention efforts;

(b) Consult with faculty and researchers at universities and colleges who are studying and researching the psychology of PTSD and traumatic brain injury, particularly in relation to service members' mental health and to suicide prevention efforts;

(c) Review and make recommendations on how to identify PTSD and suicidal ideation in veterans and current National Guard members and on methods to prevent suicide;

(d) Identify partnering opportunities that will lead to improved mental health services and suicide prevention efforts accessible to veterans and National Guard members;

(e) Identify ways to reduce mental health stigma by promoting education and awareness to veterans, National Guard members and their families, and the general public;

(f) Develop programs and policies to mitigate mental health issues at the various military leadership levels;

(g) Formulate recommendations on changes to laws and policy in the State of Mississippi which will create opportunities for better identification of indicators signaling possible mental health concerns and suicidal ideation among veterans and current National Guard members; and

(h) Research and develop recommendations pertaining to any other issues that, in the determination of the task force, are relevant to improving mental health and suicide prevention services available to veterans and current National Guard members.

(4) (a) Appointments to the task force must be made before August 1, 2025. Before August 15, 2025, on a day to be designated jointly by the legislative members of the task force, the task force shall meet and organize by selecting from its membership a chair and vice chair. The vice chair shall serve also as the secretary and is responsible for keeping all records of the task force. A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a quorum. In the selection of its officers and the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the task force is required. Written notice of task force meetings shall be sent electronically to all members at least fifteen (15) days before the date on which a meeting is to be held.

(b) The task force shall make a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any recommended legislation and funding needs, to the Legislature before January 1, 2026, at which time the task force will be dissolved.

(5) Members of the task force may not receive compensation for their service on the task force.

(6) To effectuate the purposes of this act, upon the request of the chair of the task force, a department, division, board, bureau, committee, institution or agency of the state or a political subdivision of the state shall provide the facilities, assistance, information and data needed to enable the task force to carry out its duties.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.