118 S2359 IS: Servicemember Mental Health Support Act of 2023 U.S. Senate 2023-07-18 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II118th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2359IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 18, 2023Mr. Ossoff introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed ServicesA BILLTo require a report on military health care referral policies.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Servicemember Mental Health Support Act of 2023.

2.

Report on military mental health care referral policies

(a)

Report

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report—(1)detailing the mental health care referral policies of the Armed Forces; and (2)the impact of removing primary care referral requirements for outpatient mental health care on—(A)military readiness;(B)the uptake of outpatient mental health care services by members of the Armed Forces; and(C)suicide prevention.(b)

Recommendations

The report required by subsection (a) shall include recommendations and legislative proposals—(1)to improve resources and access for outpatient mental health care services by members of the Armed Forces; (2)to encourage the uptake of such services by such members; and (3)to maintain military readiness.