Today, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones, R-San Diego, announced that language from Senate Bill 1224, the California Emerging Therapies Research Partnership Act, was successfully integrated into Assembly Bill 113, a state budget bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 18, making its key provisions the law of California. The victory was the result of three years of persistent advocacy by Jones on behalf of veterans who have not found relief through conventional mental health treatment options.
"Our veterans are suffering, and it is incumbent on us to facilitate their recovery from life altering trauma and resulting mental health battles,” said Jones. “This is a major step forward for our veterans who deserve access to the most promising emerging therapies available. We fought hard for three years to get this language across the finish line and today that fight paid off."
Jones expressed gratitude to the veteran organizations that stood alongside him throughout the fight including the American Legion, AMVets, Healing Breakthrough, Heroic Heart Project, Military Officers Association of America, and Vietnam Veterans of America.
“For more than five years, Heroic Hearts Project has worked alongside veterans, researchers, and bipartisan leaders in California to advance new pathways to healing for those struggling with the invisible wounds of service. Governor Newsom’s $4.7 million investment in veterans’ psychedelic research is a meaningful milestone in that journey,” said Jesse Gould, Founder & President, Heroic Hearts Project. “We are grateful to the Governor and to champions including Senators Brian Jones, Scott Wiener and Josh Becker, Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal and others who have continued to push this important work forward. Heroic Hearts Project looks forward to partnering with the state and serving as a resource as California advances the research and science needed to help more veterans heal.”
“This bipartisan investment will help provide needed alternative treatments. Many veterans upon returning home, find themselves suffering from PTSD, depression, opioid addiction and other invisible wounds of war,” said David Kuta Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for California. “While traditional treatments such as counseling and medication help many veterans, they do not work for everyone. For too long, the one pill fits all approach has left a fatal legacy in its wake for the men and women who’ve borne the battle for our country.”
“California just made a historic investment in mental health research for its veterans. This will ensure that when a veteran comes home with PTSD, and conventional treatments have not worked, California is at the forefront of finding what does. The veterans in my district have been waiting far too long."