AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ACCOUNT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS FOR THE FUNDING OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING AT NONPROFIT VETERANS' ORGANIZATIONS.

HB 7124 establishes a new "nonprofit veterans' organizations continuing education account" within the Department of Veterans' Affairs to fund suicide prevention training for eligible nonprofits. The account, effective July 1, 2025, will provide funding for nonprofit veterans' organizations - including municipal veterans advisory committees and local veterans representatives - that offer mental health services to veterans, specifically for training like the QPR Institute Gatekeeper program. Moneys in the account must be used solely for these education and training initiatives related to suicide prevention. The Commissioner of Veterans Affairs must submit annual reports detailing account deposits and expenditures by August 1 each year. This bill directly affects local veterans' service organizations providing mental health support to veterans in the state.