To improve mental health care programs and activities for members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

1. Adds Subtitle E--Mental Health Care Matters SEC. 751. ENHANCEMENT OF OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SUICIDE PREVENTION AND RESILIENCE PROGRAMS at the end of title VII

   Adds a section

   In S. 3254 · Placed on Calendar Senate

   Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the implementation of the recommendations of the Comptroller General of the United States in the January 2011 report of the Comptroller General entitled "Hearing Loss Prevention: Improvements to DOD Hearing Conservation Programs Could Lead to Better Outcomes" that address prevention of hearing loss, abatement of hearing loss, data collection regarding hearing loss, and the need for a new interagency data sharing system so that sufficient information is available to address and track hearing injuries and loss.

   Inserted: Subtitle E--Mental Health Care Matters SEC. 751. ENHANCEMENT OF OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SUICIDE PREVENTION AND RESILIENCE PROGRAMS.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, establish within the Office of the Secretary of Defense a position with responsibility for oversight and management of all suicide prevention and resilience programs and all preventative behavioral health programs of the Department of Defense (including those of the military departments and the Armed Forces).

   Inserted: (b) Scope of Responsibilities.--The individual serving in the position established pursuant to subsection (a) shall have the responsibilities as follows:

   Inserted: (1) To establish a uniform definition of resiliency for use in the suicide prevention and resilience programs and preventative behavioral health programs of the Department of Defense (including those of the military departments and the Armed Forces).

   Inserted: (2) In consultation with the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder of the Department of Veterans Affairs and other appropriate public and private agencies and entities, to require the use of clinical best practices in mental health care, suicide prevention programs, and resilience programs of the Department of Defense, including the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral health disorders.

   Inserted: (3) To oversee and manage the comprehensive program on the prevention of suicide among members of the Armed Forces required by section 752.

   Inserted: SEC. 752. COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM ON PREVENTION OF SUICIDE AMONG MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

   Inserted: (a) Comprehensive Program Required.--The Secretary of Defense shall, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, develop and implement within the Department of Defense a comprehensive program on the prevention of suicide among members of the Armed Forces. In developing the program, the Secretary shall consider recommendations from the operational elements of the Armed Forces regarding the feasibility of the implementation and execution of particular elements of the program.

   Inserted: (b) Elements.--The comprehensive program required by subsection (a) shall include elements to achieve the following:

   Inserted: (1) To raise awareness among members of the Armed Forces about mental health conditions and the stigma associated with mental health conditions and mental health care.

   Inserted: (2) To provide members of the Armed Forces generally, members of the Armed Forces in supervisory positions (including officers in command billets and non-commissioned officers), and medical personnel of the Armed Forces and the Department of Defense with effective means of identifying members of the Armed Forces who are at risk for suicide (including enhanced means for early identification and treatment of such members).

   Inserted: (3) To provide members of the Armed Forces who are at risk of suicide with continuous access to suicide prevention services, including suicide crisis services.

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   Inserted: (4) To evaluate and assess the effectiveness of the suicide prevention and resilience programs and preventative behavioral health programs of the Department of Defense (including those of the military departments and the Armed Forces), including the development of metrics for that purpose.

   Inserted: (5) To evaluate and assess the current diagnostic tools and treatment methods in the programs referred to in paragraph (4) in order to ensure clinical best practices are used in such programs.

   Inserted: (6) To ensure that the programs referred to in paragraph (4) incorporate evidenced-based practices when available.

   Inserted: (7) To provide for the training of mental health care providers on evidence-based therapies in connection with suicide prevention.

   Inserted: (8) To establish training standards for behavioral health care providers in order to ensure that such providers receive training on clinical best practices and evidence-based treatments as information on such practices and treatments becomes available, and to ensure such standards are met.

   Inserted: (9) To provide for the integration of mental health screenings and suicide risk and prevention for members of the Armed Forces into the delivery of primary care for such members.

   Inserted: (10) To ensure appropriate responses to attempted or completed suicides among members of the Armed Forces, including guidance and training to assist commanders in addressing incidents of attempted or completed suicide within their units.

   Inserted: (11) To ensure the protection of the privacy of members of the Armed Forces seeking or receiving treatment relating to suicide.

   Inserted: (12) Such other matters as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate in connection with the prevention of suicide among members of the Armed Forces.

   Inserted: (c) Consultation.--In developing and implementing the comprehensive program required by subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall consult with appropriate officials and elements of the Department of Defense, appropriate centers of excellence within the Department of Defense, and other public and private entities with expertise in mental health and suicide prevention.

   Inserted: (d) Implementation by the Armed Forces.--In implementing the comprehensive program required by subsection (a) with respect to an Armed Force, the Secretary of the military department concerned may, in consultation with the Under Secretary and with the approval of the Secretary of Defense, modify particular elements of the program in order to adapt the program appropriately to the unique culture and elements of that Armed Force.

   Inserted: (e) Quality Assurance.--In developing and implementing the comprehensive program required by subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall develop and implement appropriate mechanisms to provide for the oversight and management of the program, including quality measures to assess the efficacy of the program in preventing suicide among members of the Armed Forces.

   Inserted: SEC. 753. QUALITY REVIEW OF MEDICAL EVALUATION BOARDS, PHYSICAL EVALUATION BOARDS, AND PHYSICAL EVALUATION BOARD LIAISON OFFICERS.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall standardize, assess, and monitor the quality assurance programs of the military departments to evaluate the following in the performance of their duties (including duties under chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code):

   Inserted: (1) Medical Evaluation Boards (MEBs).

   Inserted: (2) Physical Evaluation Boards (PEBs).

   Inserted: (3) Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officers (PEBLOs).

   Inserted: (b) Objectives.--The objectives of the quality assurance program shall be as follows:

   Inserted: (1) To ensure accuracy and consistency in the determinations and decisions of Medical Evaluation Boards and Physical Evaluation Boards.

   Inserted: (2) To otherwise monitor and sustain proper performance of the duties of Medical Evaluation Boards and Physical Evaluation Boards, and of Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officers.

   Inserted: (3) Such other objectives as the Secretary shall specify for purposes of the quality assurance program.

   Inserted: (c) Reports.--

   Inserted: (1) Report on implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report setting forth the plan of the Secretary for the implementation of the requirements of this section.

   Inserted: (2) Annual reports.--Not later than one year after the date of the submittal of the report required by paragraph (1), and annually thereafter for the next four years, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report setting forth an assessment of the implementation of the requirements of this section during the one-year period ending on the date of the report under this paragraph. Each report shall include, in particular, an assessment of the extent to which the quality assurance program under the requirements of this section meets the objectives specified in subsection (b).

   Inserted: (3) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this subsection, the term "appropriate committees of Congress" means--

   Inserted: (A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and

   Inserted: (B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.

   Inserted: SEC. 754. ASSESSMENT OF ADEQUACY OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE BENEFITS UNDER THE TRICARE PROGRAM.

   Inserted: (a) Independent Assessment Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, enter into a contract with an appropriate independent entity to assess whether the mental health care benefits available for members of the Armed Forces and other covered beneficiaries under the TRICARE program are adequate to meet the needs of such members and beneficiaries for mental health care.

   Inserted: (b) Report.--The contract required by subsection (a) shall require the entity conducting the assessment required by the contract to submit to the Secretary of Defense, and to the congressional defense committees, a report setting forth the results of the assessment by not later than 180 days after the date of entry into the contract. If the entity determines pursuant to the assessment that the mental health care benefits available for members of the Armed Forces and other covered beneficiaries under the TRICARE program are not adequate to meet the needs of such members and beneficiaries for mental health care, the report shall include such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the entity considers appropriate to remediate any identified inadequacy.

   Inserted: (c) Definitions.--In this section:

   Inserted: (1) The term "covered beneficiaries" has the meaning given that term in section 1072(5) of title 10, United States Code.

   Inserted: (2) The term "TRICARE program" has the meaning given that term in section 1072(7) of title 10, United States Code.

   Inserted: SEC. 755. SHARING BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF RECORDS AND INFORMATION RETAINED UNDER THE MEDICAL TRACKING SYSTEM FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES DEPLOYED OVERSEAS.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly enter into a memorandum of understanding providing for the sharing by the Department of Defense with the Department of Veterans Affairs of the results of examinations and other records on members of the Armed Forces that are retained and maintained with respect to the medical tracking system for members deployed overseas under section 1074f(c) of title 10, United States Code.

   Inserted: (b) Cessation Upon Implementation of Electronic Health Record.--The sharing required pursuant to subsection (a) shall cease on the date on which the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs jointly certify to Congress that the Secretaries have fully implemented an integrated electronic health record for members of the Armed Forces that is fully interoperable between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

   Inserted: SEC. 756. PARTICIPATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES IN PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

   Inserted: (a) Participation.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly enter into a memorandum of understanding providing for members of the Armed Forces described in subsection (b) to volunteer or be considered for employment as peer counselors under the following:

   Inserted: (A) The peer support counseling program carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under subsection (j) of section 1720F of title 38, United States Code, as part of the comprehensive program for suicide prevention among veterans under subsection (a) of such section.

   Inserted: (B) The peer support counseling program carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 304(a)(1) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1150; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note).

   Inserted: (2) Training.--Any member participating in a peer support counseling program under paragraph (1) shall receive the training for peer counselors under section 1720F(j)(2) of title 38, United States Code, or section 304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, as applicable, before performing peer support counseling duties under such program.

   Inserted: (b) Covered Members.--Members of the Armed Forces described in this subsection are the following:

   Inserted: (1) Members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who are demobilizing after deployment in a theater of combat operations, including, in particular, members who participated in combat against the enemy while so deployed.

   Inserted: (2) Members of the regular components of the Armed Forces separating from active duty who have been deployed in a theater of combat operations in which such members participated in combat against the enemy.

   Inserted: SEC. 757. RESEARCH AND MEDICAL PRACTICE ON MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.

   Inserted: (a) Department of Defense Organization on Research and Practice.--The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Department of Defense an organization to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (b).

   Inserted: (b) Responsibilities.--The organization established under subsection (a) shall--

   Inserted: (1) carry out programs and activities designed to provide for the translation of research on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions into policy on medical practices;

   Inserted: (2) make recommendations to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs on the translation of such research into the policies of the Department of Defense on medical practices with respect to members of the Armed Forces; and

   Inserted: (3) discharge such other responsibilities relating to research and medical practices on mental health conditions, and the policies of the Department on such practices with respect to members of the Armed Forces, as the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary shall specify for purposes of this section.

   Inserted: (c) Reports.--

   Inserted: (1) Initial report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the organization required by subsection (a). The report shall include a description of the organization and a plan for implementing the requirements of this section.

   Inserted: (2) Annual reports.--The Secretary shall submit to Congress each year a report on the activities of the organization established under subsection (a) during the preceding year. Each report shall include the following:

   Inserted: (A) A summary description of the activities of the organization during the preceding year.

   Inserted: (B) A description of the recommendations made by the organization to the Assistant Secretary under subsection (b)(2) during the year, and a description of the actions undertaken (or to be undertaken) by the Assistant Secretary in response to such recommendations.

   Inserted: (C) Such other matters relating to the activities of the organization, including recommendations for additional legislative or administrative action, as the Secretary, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary, considers appropriate.

   Inserted: SEC. 758. DISPOSAL OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

   Inserted: (a) Members of the Armed Forces.--The Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Defense establishing procedures under which a member of the Armed Forces may deliver a controlled substance to a member of the Armed Forces or an employee of the Department of Defense to be disposed of in accordance with section 302(g) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 822(g)).

   Inserted: (b) Veterans.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--The Administrator shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs establishing procedures under which a veteran may deliver a controlled substance to an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be disposed of in accordance with section 302(g) of the Controlled Substances Act.

   Inserted: (2) Veteran defined.--In this subsection, the term "veteran" has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.

   Inserted: SEC. 759. TRANSPARENCY OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

   Inserted: (a) Measurement of Mental Health Care Services.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2013, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop and implement a comprehensive set of measures to assess mental health care services furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

   Inserted: (2) Elements.--The measures developed and implemented under paragraph (1) shall provide an accurate and comprehensive assessment of the following:

   Inserted: (A) The timeliness of the furnishing of mental health care by the Department.

   Inserted: (B) The satisfaction of patients who receive mental health care services furnished by the Department.

   Inserted: (C) The capacity of the Department to furnish mental health care.

   Inserted: (D) The availability and furnishing of evidence-based therapies by the Department.

   Inserted: (b) Guidelines for Staffing Mental Health Care Services.--Not later than December 31, 2013, the Secretary shall develop and implement guidelines for the staffing of general and specialty mental health care services, including at community-based outpatient clinics. Such guidelines shall include productivity standards for providers of mental health care.

   Inserted: (c) Study Committee.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--The Secretary shall seek to enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences to create a study committee--

   Inserted: (A) to consult with the Secretary on the Secretary's development and implementation of the measures and guidelines required by subsections (a) and (b); and

   Inserted: (B) to conduct an assessment and provide an analysis and recommendations on the state of Department mental health services.

   Inserted: (2) Functions.--In entering into the contract described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, with respect to paragraph (1)(B), include in such contract a provision for the study committee--

   Inserted: (A) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of barriers to access to mental health care by veterans who served in the Armed Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn;

   Inserted: (B) to assess the quality of the mental health care being provided to such veterans (including the extent to which veterans are afforded choices with respect to modes of treatment) through site visits to facilities of the Veterans Health Administration (including at least one site visit in each Veterans Integrated Service Network), evaluating studies of patient outcomes, and other appropriate means;

   Inserted: (C) to assess whether, and the extent to which, veterans who served in the Armed Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn are being offered a full range of necessary mental health services at Department health care facilities, including early intervention services for hazardous drinking, relationship problems, and other behaviors that create a risk for the development of a chronic mental health condition;

   Inserted: (D) to conduct surveys or have access to Department-administered surveys of--

   Inserted: (i) providers of Department mental health services;

   Inserted: (ii) veterans who served in the Armed Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn who are receiving mental health care furnished by the Department; and

   Inserted: (iii) eligible veterans who served in the Armed Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn who are not using Department health care services to assess those barriers described in subparagraph (A); and

   Inserted: (E) to provide to the Secretary, on the basis of its assessments as delineated in subparagraphs (A) through (C), specific, detailed recommendations--

   Inserted: (i) for overcoming barriers, and improving access, to timely, effective mental health care at Department health care facilities (or, where Department facilities cannot provide such care, through contract arrangements under existing law); and

   Inserted: (ii) to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of mental health services furnished by the Secretary.

   Inserted: (3) Participation by former officials and employees of veterans health administration.--The Secretary shall ensure that any contract entered into under paragraph (1) provides for inclusion on any subcommittee which participates in conducting the assessments and formulating the recommendations provided for in paragraph (2) at least one former official of the Veterans Health Administration and at least two former employees of the Veterans Health Administration who were providers of mental health care.

   Inserted: (4) Periodic reports to secretary.--In entering into the contract described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, with respect to paragraph (1)(A), include in such contract a provision for the submittal to the Secretary of periodic reports and provision of other consultation to the Secretary by the study committee to assist the Secretary in carrying out subsections (a) and (b).

   Inserted: (5) Reports to congress.--Not later than 30 days after receiving a report under paragraph (4), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the plans of the Secretary to implement such recommendations submitted to the Secretary by the study committee as the Secretary considers appropriate. Such report shall include a description of each recommendation submitted to the Secretary that the Secretary does not plan to carry out and an explanation of why the Secretary does not plan to carry out such recommendation.

   Inserted: (d) Publication.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--The Secretary shall make available to the public on an Internet website of the Department the following:

   Inserted: (A) The measures and guidelines developed and implemented under this section.

   Inserted: (B) An assessment of the performance of the Department using such measures and guidelines.

   Inserted: (2) Quarterly updates.--The Secretary shall update the measures, guidelines, and assessment made available to the public under paragraph (1) not less frequently than quarterly.

   Inserted: (e) Semiannual Reports.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--Not later than June 30, 2013, and not less frequently than twice each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the Secretary's progress in developing and implementing the measures and guidelines required by this section.

   Inserted: (2) Elements.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

   Inserted: (A) A description of the development and implementation of the measures required by subsection (a) and the guidelines required by subsection (b).

   Inserted: (B) A description of the progress made by the Secretary in developing and implementing such measures and guidelines.

   Inserted: (C) An assessment of the mental health care services furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs, using the measures developed and implemented under subsection (a).

   Inserted: (D) An assessment of the effectiveness of the guidelines developed and implemented under subsection (b).

   Inserted: (E) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary may have to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the mental health care services furnished under laws administered by the Secretary.

   Inserted: (f) Implementation Report.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--Not later than 30 days before the date on which the Secretary begins implementing the measures and guidelines required by this section, the Secretary shall submit to the committees described in subsection (e)(1) a report on the Secretary's planned implementation of such measures and guidelines.

   Inserted: (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:

   Inserted: (A) A detailed description of the measures and guidelines that the Secretary plans to implement under this section.

   Inserted: (B) A description of the rationale for each measure and guideline the Secretary plans to implement under this section.

   Inserted: (C) A discussion of each measure and guideline that the Secretary considered under this section but chose not to implement.

   Inserted: (D) The number of current vacancies in mental health care provider positions in the Department.

   Inserted: (E) An assessment of how many additional positions are needed to meet current or expected demand for mental health services furnished by the Department.

   Inserted: SEC. 760. EXPANSION OF VET CENTER PROGRAM TO INCLUDE FURNISHING COUNSELING TO CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.

   Inserted: Section 1712A of title 38, United States Code, is amended--

   Inserted: (1) in subsection (a)--

   Inserted: (A) in paragraph (1)--

   Inserted: (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking "Upon the request" and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: "Upon the request of any individual referred to in subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall furnish counseling, including by furnishing counseling through a Vet Center, to the individual--

   Inserted: "(i) in the case of an individual referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (C), to assist the individual in readjusting to civilian life; and

   Inserted: "(ii) in the case of an individual referred to in clause (v) of such subparagraph who is a family member of a veteran or member described in such clause--

   Inserted: "(I) in the case of a member who is deployed in a theater of combat operations or an area at a time during which hostilities are occurring in that area, during such deployment to assist such individual in coping with such deployment; and

   Inserted: "(II) in the case of a veteran or member who is readjusting to civilian life, to the degree that counseling furnished to such individual is found to aid in the readjustment of such veteran or member to civilian life."; and

   Inserted: (ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following new subparagraphs:

   Inserted: "(B) Counseling furnished to an individual under subparagraph (A) may include a comprehensive individual assessment of the individual's psychological, social, and other characteristics to ascertain whether--

   Inserted: "(i) in the case of an individual referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (C), such individual has difficulties associated with readjusting to civilian life; and

   Inserted: "(ii) in the case of an individual referred to in clause (v) of such subparagraph, such individual has difficulties associated with--

   Inserted: "(I) coping with the deployment of a member described in subclause (I) of such clause; or

   Inserted: "(II) readjustment to civilian life of a veteran or member described in subclause (II) of such clause.

   Inserted: "(C) Subparagraph (A) applies to the following individuals:

   Inserted: "(i) Any individual who is a veteran or member of the Armed Forces, including a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces, who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations or an area at a time during which hostilities occurred in that area.

   Inserted: "(ii) Any individual who is a veteran or member of the Armed Forces, including a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces, who provided direct emergency medical or mental health care, or mortuary services to the causalities of combat operations or hostilities, but who at the time was located outside the theater of combat operations or area of hostilities.

   Inserted: "(iii) Any individual who is a veteran or member of the Armed Forces, including a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces, who engaged in combat with an enemy of the United States or against an opposing military force in a theater of combat operations or an area at a time during which hostilities occurred in that area by remotely controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle, notwithstanding whether the physical location of such veteran or member during such combat was within such theater of combat operations or area.

   Inserted: "(iv) Any individual who received counseling under this section before the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013.

   Inserted: "(v) Any individual who is a family member of any--

   Inserted: "(I) member of the Armed Forces, including a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces, who is serving on active duty in a theater of combat operations or in an area at a time during which hostilities are occurring in that area; or

   Inserted: "(II) veteran or member of the Armed Forces described in this subparagraph.";

   Inserted: (B) by striking paragraph (2);

   Inserted: (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); and

   Inserted: (D) in paragraph (2), as redesignated by subparagraph (C)--

   Inserted: (i) by striking "a veteran described in paragraph (1)(B)(iii)" and inserting "an individual described in paragraph (1)(C)"; and

   Inserted: (ii) by striking "the veteran a preliminary general mental health assessment" and inserting "the individual a comprehensive individual assessment as described in paragraph (1)(B)";

   Inserted: (2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking "physician or psychologist" each place it appears and inserting "licensed or certified mental health care provider";

   Inserted: (3) in subsection (g)--

   Inserted: (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

   Inserted: "(1) The term 'Vet Center' means a facility which is operated by the Department for the provision of services under this section and which is situated apart from Department general health care facilities."; and

   Inserted: (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

   Inserted: "(3) The term 'family member', with respect to a veteran or member of the Armed Forces, means an individual who--

   Inserted: "(A) is a member of the family of the veteran or member, including--

   Inserted: "(i) a parent;

   Inserted: "(ii) a spouse;

   Inserted: "(iii) a child;

   Inserted: "(iv) a step-family member; and

   Inserted: "(v) an extended family member; or

   Inserted: "(B) lives with the veteran or member but is not a member of the family of the veteran or member."; and

   Inserted: (4) by redesignating subsection (g), as amended by paragraph (3), as subsection (h) and inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection (g):

   Inserted: "(g) In carrying out this section and in furtherance of the Secretary's responsibility to carry out outreach activities under chapter 63 of this title, the Secretary may provide for and facilitate the participation of personnel employed by the Secretary to provide services under this section in recreational programs that are--

   Inserted: "(1) designed to encourage the readjustment of veterans described in subsection (a)(1)(C); and

   Inserted: "(2) operated by any organization named in or approved under section 5902 of this title.".

   Inserted: SEC. 761. AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO FURNISH MENTAL HEALTH CARE THROUGH FACILITIES OTHER THAN VET CENTERS TO IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES DEPLOYED IN CONNECTION WITH A CONTINGENCY OPERATION.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations and subsection (b), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in addition to furnishing mental health care to family members of members of the Armed Forces through Vet Centers under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code, may furnish mental health care to immediate family members of members of the Armed Forces while such members are deployed in connection with a contingency operation (as defined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code) through Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, telemental health modalities, and such community, nonprofit, private, and other third parties as the Secretary considers appropriate.

   Inserted: (b) Limitation.--The Secretary may furnish mental health care under subsection (a) only to the extent that resources and facilities are available and only to the extent that the furnishing of such care does not interfere with the provision of care to veterans.

   Inserted: (c) No Eligibility for Travel Reimbursement.--A family member to whom the Secretary furnishes mental health care under subsection (a) shall not be eligible for payments or allowances under section 111 of title 38, United States Code, for such mental health care.

   Inserted: (d) Sunset.--The authority to furnish medical health care under subsection (a) shall expire on the date that is three years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

   Inserted: (e) Vet Center Defined.--In this section, the term "Vet Center" has the meaning given the term in section 1712A(g) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 760(3) of this Act.

   Inserted: SEC. 762. ORGANIZATION OF THE READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

   Inserted: "Sec. 7309. Readjustment Counseling Service

   Inserted: "(a) In General.--There is in the Veterans Health Administration a Readjustment Counseling Service. The Readjustment Counseling Service shall provide readjustment counseling and associated services to individuals in accordance with section 1712A of this title.

   Inserted: "(b) Chief Officer.--(1) The head of the Readjustment Counseling Service shall be the Chief Officer of the Readjustment Counseling Service (in this section the 'Chief Officer'), who shall report directly to the Under Secretary for Health.

   Inserted: "(2) The Chief Officer shall be appointed by the Under Secretary for Health from among individuals who--

   Inserted: "(A)(i) are psychologists who hold a diploma as a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology from an authority approved by the American Psychological Association and who have successfully undergone an internship approved by that association;

   Inserted: "(ii) are holders of a master in social work degree; or

   Inserted: "(iii) hold such other advanced degrees related to mental health as the Secretary considers appropriate;

   Inserted: "(B) have at least three years of experience providing direct counseling services or outreach services in the Readjustment Counseling Service;

   Inserted: "(C) have at least three years of experience administrating direct counseling services or outreach services in the Readjustment Counseling Service;

   Inserted: "(D) meet the quality standards and requirements of the Department; and

   Inserted: "(E) are veterans who served in combat as members of the Armed Forces.

   Inserted: "(c) Structure.--(1) The Readjustment Counseling Service is a distinct organizational element within Veterans Health Administration.

   Inserted: "(2) The Readjustment Counseling Service shall provide counseling and services as described in subsection (a).

   Inserted: "(3) The Chief Officer shall have direct authority over all Readjustment Counseling Service staff and assets, including Vet Centers.

   Inserted: "(d) Source of Funds.--(1) Amounts for the activities of the Readjustment Counseling Service, including the operations of its Vet Centers, shall be derived from amounts appropriated for the Veterans Health Administration for medical care.

   Inserted: "(2) Amounts for activities of the Readjustment Counseling Service, including the operations of its Vet Centers, shall not be allocated through the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation system.

   Inserted: "(3) In each budget request submitted for the Department of Veterans Affairs by the President to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, the budget request for the Readjustment Counseling Service shall be listed separately.

   Inserted: "(e) Annual Report.--(1) Not later than March 15 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the activities of the Readjustment Counseling Service during the preceding calendar year.

   Inserted: "(2) Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include, with respect to the period covered by the report, the following:

   Inserted: "(A) A summary of the activities of the Readjustment Counseling Service, including Vet Centers.

   Inserted: "(B) A description of the workload and additional treatment capacity of the Vet Centers, including, for each Vet Center, the ratio of the number of full-time equivalent employees at such Vet Center and the number of individuals who received services or assistance at such Vet Center.

   Inserted: "(C) A detailed analysis of demand for and unmet need for readjustment counseling services and the Secretary's plan for meeting such unmet need.

   Inserted: "(f) Vet Center Defined.--In this section, the term 'Vet Center' has the meaning given the term in section 1712A(g) of this title.".

   Inserted: (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 73 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7308 the following new item:

   Inserted: "7309. Readjustment Counseling Service.".

   Inserted: (c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 7305 of such title is amended--

   Inserted: (1) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and

   Inserted: (2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new paragraph (7):

   Inserted: "(7) A Readjustment Counseling Service.".

   Inserted: SEC. 763. RECRUITING MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS FOR FURNISHING OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS WITHOUT COMPENSATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a national program of outreach to societies, community organizations, nonprofit organizations, or government entities in order to recruit mental health providers, who meet the quality standards and requirements of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to provide mental health services for the Department on a part-time, without-compensation basis, under section 7405 of title 38, United States Code.

   Inserted: (b) Partnering With and Developing Community Entities and Nonprofit Organizations.--In carrying out the program required by subsection (a), the Secretary may partner with a community entity or nonprofit organization or assist in the development of a community entity or nonprofit organization, including by entering into an agreement under section 8153 of title 38, United States Code, that provides strategic coordination of the societies, organizations, and government entities described in subsection (a) in order to maximize the availability and efficient delivery of mental health services to veterans by such societies, organizations, and government entities.

   Inserted: (c) Military Culture Training.--In carrying out the program required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide training to mental health providers to ensure that clinicians who provide mental health services as described in such subsection have sufficient understanding of military- and service-specific culture, combat experience, and other factors that are unique to the experience of veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operating Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn.

   Inserted: SEC. 764. PEER SUPPORT.

   Inserted: (a) Peer Support Counseling Program.--

   Inserted: (1) Program required.--Paragraph (1) of section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States Code, is amended in the matter before subparagraph (A) by striking "may" and inserting "shall".

   Inserted: (2) Training.--Paragraph (2) of such section is amended by inserting after "peer counselors" the following: ", including training carried out under the national program of training required by section 304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (38 U.S.C. 1712A note; Public Law 111-163)".

   Inserted: (3) Availability of program at department medical centers.--Such section is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

   Inserted: "(3) In addition to other locations the Secretary considers appropriate, the Secretary shall carry out the peer support program under this subsection at each Department medical center.".

   Inserted: (4) Deadline for commencement of program.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the peer support counseling program required by section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by this subsection, commences at each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

   Inserted: (b) Peer Outreach and Peer Support Services at Department Medical Centers Under Program on Readjustment and Mental Health Care Services for Veterans Who Served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--Section 304 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (38 U.S.C. 1712A note; Public Law 111-163) is amended--

   Inserted: (A) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and

   Inserted: (B) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection (e):

   Inserted: "(e) Provision of Peer Outreach and Peer Support Services at Department Medical Centers.--The Secretary shall carry out the services required by subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1) at each Department medical center.".

   Inserted: (2) Deadline.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall commence carrying out the services required by subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1) of such section at each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, as required by subsection (e) of such section (as added by paragraph (1)), not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

   Original wording

   At the end of title VII, add the following:

Read automatically from the Congressional Record. Check the original before relying on it.

As printed