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Bill By South Coast Legislator To Help Veterans With Mental Health Issues Passes State Assembly

A new bill by a South Coast legislator intended to get more rapid mental health services for veterans has been passed by the State Assembly.

AB 2325 bans counties from denying mental aid to veterans because they might be covered the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.

Democratic Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin of Thousand Oaks says the lack of easily available services may worsen suicidal behavior, which has been a growing problem among younger veterans.

Irwin says the legislation is intended to ensure veterans in crisis aren’t being told by county agencies that they need to go the VA rather than getting immediate help. The bill now goes to the State Senate for consideration.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral. 
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