Military affairs: other; office of mental health peer mentorship program; establish within the Michigan department of military and veterans affairs. Amends 1967 PA 150 (MCL 32.501 - 32.851) by adding sec. 323. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5270'25

HB 5259 establishes a peer mentorship program within Michigan's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to connect active-duty military members (including National Guard and reserves) and veterans with volunteer mentors. The program helps participants access resources for education, employment, family issues, financial matters, and health care - including mental health and substance use disorder support through veteran navigators. Mentors must be recruited from veterans where possible, and program records are protected from public disclosure under Michigan's freedom of information law. The bill requires companion legislation (HB 5270) to take effect.