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H.R. 6998House110th Congress (2007-2009)In Committee

Veterans Mental Health Training for First Responders and Community Leaders Act of 2008

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide education and training to emergency response providers and community leaders relating to the mental health of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and for other purposes.

Sponsored by Tim MahoneyRep. Tim Mahoney (D-FL)
Introduced September 23, 2008

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Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

September 23, 2008

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 23, 2008

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

September 23, 2008

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 23, 2008

I

110th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6998

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 23, 2008

Mr. Mahoney of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide education and training to emergency response providers and community leaders relating to the mental health of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans Mental Health Training for First Responders and Community Leaders Act of 2008.

2.

Pilot program on education and training of emergency response providers on mental health issues of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom

(a)

Pilot program

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a three-year pilot program under which the Secretary shall provide education and training about covered mental health conditions to emergency response providers and community leaders.

(b)

Location of pilot program

The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under this section in Veterans Integrated Service Networks selected by the Secretary.

(c)

Definitions

For purposes of this Act:

(1)

The term covered mental health conditions means post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, traumatic brain injury, and other mental health conditions identified by the Secretary as being related to deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

(2)

The term emergency response providers means emergency public safety, fire, law enforcement, emergency response, and emergency medical providers.

(3)

The term community leaders means judges, elected officials, officers of local veterans organizations, and other individuals identified by the Secretary.

(d)

Reports to Congress

Not later than 90 days after the last day of the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. Such report shall include—

(1)

the locations in which the Secretary carries out the pilot program;

(2)

the number of individuals who participate in the program;

(3)

the types of activities carried out under the program;

(4)

an assessment of the effectiveness of the program; and

(5)

the recommendations of the Secretary with respect to the extension or expansion of the program.