II 109th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1448 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 21, 2005 Mr. Durbin (for himself and Mrs. Boxer) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To improve the treatment provided to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Improvement Act.

2.

Improved treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder

(a)

In general

Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— (1)establish a post-traumatic stress disorder clinical team at every Medical Center of the Department of Veterans Affairs; (2)provide a certified family therapist for each Vet Center of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (3)appoint a post-traumatic stress disorder coordinator within each Veteran Integrated Service Network and within each Readjustment Counseling Service Region. (b)

Duties of PTSD coordinator

Each coordinator appointed for a network or region under subsection (a)(3) shall— (1)evaluate post-traumatic stress disorder and family therapy treatment programs within the network or region; (2)identify and disseminate best practices on evaluation and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, and on family therapy treatment, within the network or region and to other networks and regions; and (3)recommend the resource allocation necessary to meet post-traumatic stress disorder and family therapy treatment needs within the network or region. (c)

Waiver

Beginning on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may waive any requirement of this Act for the fiscal year beginning after that date if the Secretary, not later than 90 days before the beginning of such fiscal year, submits to Congress a report— (1)notifying Congress of the proposed waiver; (2)explaining why the requirement is not necessary; and (3)describing how post-traumatic stress disorder services and family therapy services will be provided to all veterans who may need such services.