HR 2878
Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act
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Bill overview
This bill, the Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act, aims to improve support for transitioning service members and veterans. It requires the Department of Defense to include more information about mental health, including suicide risk factors, in its Transition Assistance Program. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Solid Start program will be expanded to assist veterans enrolling in VA healthcare and educate them about mental health services. The bill also mandates a joint report from the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs on the implemented changes.
Key provisions
- Requires the Department of Defense to include mental health information, including suicide risk factors, in the Transition Assistance Program.
- Expands the Solid Start program to assist veterans enrolling in VA healthcare.
- Mandates the VA to educate veterans about mental health and counseling services.
- Requires the VA to provide information on treatment options for conditions like PTSD and substance abuse.
- Includes information on the potential stressors associated with separating from the armed forces.
- Addresses adverse childhood experiences, depression, bipolar disorder, homelessness, unemployment, and relationship strain as potential suicide risk factors.
- Requires a joint report from the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs on the implemented changes.
Who is affected
- Veterans
- Active-duty military personnel
- Department of Defense
- Department of Veterans Affairs
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Becca [D-VT-At Large] Balint
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 2878
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the Transition Assistance Program and Solid Start Program to address mental health issues, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act
.
Section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
in paragraph (5), by inserting (11),
before and (16)
; and
by striking paragraph (11) and inserting the following:
Information concerning mental health, including—
the availability of mental health services furnished by the Secretary concerned, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or a non-profit entity;
the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, anxiety disorders, depression, chronic pain, sleep disorders, suicidal ideation, or other mental health conditions associated with service in the armed forces;
the risk of suicide, including signs, symptoms, and risk factors (including adverse childhood experiences, depression, bipolar disorder, homelessness, unemployment, and relationship strain);
the availability of treatment options and resources to address substance abuse, including alcohol, prescription drug, and opioid abuse;
the potential effects of the loss of community and support systems experienced by a member separating from the armed forces;
isolation from family, friends, or society; and
the potential stressors associated with separation from the armed forces.
Section 6320(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
by redesignating subparagraphs (G) and (H) as subparagraphs (I) and (J), respectively; and
by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following new subparagraphs:
assisting eligible veterans who elect to enroll in the system of patient enrollment under section 1705(a) of this title;
educating veterans about mental health and counseling services available through the Veterans Health Administration;
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the information and materials developed pursuant to the amendments made by this Act.
In this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees
means—
the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate; and
the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives.