HR 7735
Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act
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Bill overview
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee to evaluate the effectiveness of mental health programs and processes available to service members and veterans. The committee will create an inventory of these programs, assess their performance, and identify any areas for improvement, such as duplication or gaps in service. Finally, the committee must submit a report with recommendations to Congress outlining how to address these issues and improve access to mental health support.
Key provisions
- Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs–Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee to conduct an inventory of mental health programs.
- Mandates an assessment of the effectiveness of these programs in facilitating access to mental health services.
- Directs the Joint Executive Committee to submit a report to Congress within 180 days outlining assessment results and recommendations.
- Requires the Joint Executive Committee to review the joint separation health assessment every two years.
Who is affected
- Servicemembers
- Veterans
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Department of Defense
- Congress
Notable changes
- Establishes a formal process for evaluating and improving mental health support programs for military personnel and veterans.
- Mandates a biennial review of the joint separation health assessment.
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Primary sponsor
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. R. 7735
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To require the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee to assess the effectiveness of certain mental health activities of the Departments, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act
.
The Department of Veterans Affairs–Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee under section 320 of title 38, United States Code, shall—
complete an inventory of the programs and processes of the Departments that facilitate access to mental health services across the transition spectrum; and
conduct an assessment of the overall effectiveness of such programs and processes in facilitating access to such services.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Joint Executive Committee shall submit to the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the results of the assessment. The report shall include—
the inventory under paragraph (1)(A);
the results of the assessment under paragraph (1)(B), including whether the assessment identified any deficiencies, gaps, or inefficiencies (such as duplicative programs);
recommendations to address the identified deficiencies, gaps, or inefficiencies, if any, including plans of action, milestones, and metrics; and
any other information or recommendations that the Joint Executive Committee considers appropriate.
Section 320(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: