S.Amdt. 4213

SA 4213. Mr. TESTER (for himself, Mr. Heller, Mrs. Ernst, Mr. Rounds,
and Mr. Leahy) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to
the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for
military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title VII, add the following:

SEC. 709. PILOT PROGRAM ON EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR
READJUSTMENT COUNSELING FROM DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS TO INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE
SELECTED RESERVE OF THE ARMED FORCES.

(a) In General.--Beginning not later than one year after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall commence a three-year pilot program to
assess the feasibility and advisability of furnishing
counseling under section 1712A(a) of title 38, United States
Code, to any member of the Selected Reserve of the Armed
Forces who has a behavioral health condition or psychological
trauma.
(b) Comprehensive Individual Assessment.--Counseling
furnished under the pilot program may include a comprehensive
individual assessment under section 1712A(a)(1)(B)(i) of such
title.
(c) Confidentiality.--The Secretary shall ensure that the
confidentiality of individuals furnished counseling under the
pilot program is protected to the same extent as the
confidentiality of individuals furnished counseling under
section 1712A(a) of such title.
(d) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the completion of the pilot program, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall, in consultation with the Secretary of
Defense, submit to Congress a report on the findings of the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs with respect to the pilot
program.
(2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) A description of the individuals who benefitted from
counseling under the pilot program.
(B) A description of any impediments to the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs in furnishing counseling under the pilot
program.
(C) A description of any impediments encountered by
individuals in receiving counseling under the pilot program.
(D) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of
furnishing counseling under the pilot program to all members
of the Selected Reserve of the Armed Forces who have
behavioral health conditions or psychological trauma.
(E) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative
action as the Secretary considers appropriate with respect to
the furnishing of counseling to such members.
(e) Vet Center Defined.--In this section, the term ``Vet
Center'' means a center for readjustment counseling and
related mental health services for veterans under section
1712A of title 38, United States Code.
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