Shore Assemblywoman to study court policies for stress-impacted veterans

The way New Jersey's legal system addresses military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the future will likely be shaped, in part, by southern Ocean County Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove (R-9).

The shore Republican has been appointed to a task force studying treatment of vets struggling with PTSD during judicial proceedings with the goal of improving it.

"Serving as a member of the Task Force is a tremendous privilege in that it affords me the a unique opportunity to further represent the interests of our veterans," Gove said in a prepared release. "Post traumatic stress disorder is one of the most serious issues confronting our veterans. As such, we have an obligation to better understand its implications of post traumatic stress disorder in judicial proceedings for those who have served our nation."

The Assemblywoman has served on the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee since entering the state Legislature six years ago. She has also served on the Veterans' Hospital Task Force, established by legislation she pushed with Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Senator Chris Connors.

The group will contain four legislators, the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the director of mental health services for the New Jersey Department of Human Services, the Administrative Director of the New Jersey Courts and two members of the public with experience in stress disorders, mental health or the courts, appointed by the Governor.

Before issuing a report to the Governor and the Legislature, the panel is to hold at least three public hearings in several sections of New Jersey.