INDIANAPOLIS | Lake County could be home to Indiana's sixth veterans court after the House on Monday approved a funding plan recommended by state Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster.
Her amendment to House Bill 1016 permits the Lake County Council to reallocate some drug use prevention funds to pay for a veterans court, a type of problem-solving court that helps resolve the underlying causes that sometimes drive veterans to break the law.
"These problem-solving courts allow them to take them off that track and address the real issues affecting them," Candelaria Reardon said.
She estimated the county would save $33,000 a year in jail expenses by using a veterans court instead of locking up veterans who self-medicate using drugs or alcohol after returning from war.
The legislation does not require Lake County establish a veterans court but provides a funding source if it chooses to.
Veterans courts are already in use in Porter, Delaware, Floyd, Grant and Vanderburgh counties.
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