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            For the purposes of this Chapter:

            (1) “Veteran” means a former or current member of the United States Armed Forces or organized militia of the several states and territories, including but not limited to a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, Air National Guard, Reserves, State Guard, or a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, Environmental Science Services Administration, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor, the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey.

            (2) “Veterans Court program” means a program that has all of the following essential characteristics:

            (a) The integration of health care, education, and housing assistance, as well as employment, job training, disability compensation counseling, and other rehabilitative services in the processing of cases in the criminal justice system.

            (b) Early identification and prompt placement of eligible participants in the program, whereby they become program participants.

            (c) The use of nonadversarial approach involving prosecutors and defense attorneys to promote public safety and protect the due process rights of program participants.

            (d) Access to continuum of alcohol, controlled substance, mental health, suicide assessment, intervention, treatment and management, and other related treatment and rehabilitative services.

            (e) Careful monitoring of treatment and services provided to program participants.

            (f) A coordinated strategy to govern program responses to participants’ compliance.

            (g) Ongoing judicial interaction with program participants.

            (h) Monitoring and evaluation of program goals and effectiveness.

            (i) Continuing interdisciplinary education to promote effective program planning, implementation, and operations.

            (j) Development of partnerships with public agencies and community organizations, including but not limited to the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and any other local, state or federal agency or organization that can provide assistance to participants.

            Acts 2014, No. 716, §1.