II 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2500 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 4, 2006 Mr. Akaka (for himself, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Lautenberg, and Mr. Kerry) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To enhance the counseling and readjustment services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Healing the Invisible Wounds Act of 2006.
2.
Notice and wait on modification of handling of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder under disability compensation rating system
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not implement any modification in the manner in which Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is handled in the rating of service-connected disabilities for purposes of the payment of compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, until the date that is six months after the date on which the Secretary submits to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on such proposed modification.
3.
Counseling for members of the National Guard and Reserves returning from deployment in a combat theater
(a)
Expansion of Reunion and Re-entry From Combat Program
(1)
In general
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall provide to each member of the National Guard and Reserves described in subsection (b) the counseling services described in subsection (c) upon the return of such member from a deployment in a combat theater. (2)
Purpose of services
The purpose of the counseling services provided under this section is to assist members of the National Guard and Reserves described in subsection (b) in making the readjustment to civilian life in the United States upon their return from a combat theater. (b)
Covered members of the National Guard and Reserves
A member of the National Guard and Reserves described in this subsection is any member of the National Guard or the Reserves who serves on active duty in a combat theater. (c)
Counseling To be provided
The counseling services to be provided under this subsection shall include the following: (1)A session of group counseling provided to such member together with such other number of members as the Secretary determines appropriate for the purpose of this section. (2)A session, of not less than one hour duration, of private counseling provided to such member. (3)A presentation on counseling-related matters, including on the readjustment counseling and related mental health services available under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code, provided to the family of such member. (4)Such other counseling services as the Secretary determines appropriate for the purpose of this section. (d)
Means of providing counseling
Counseling services shall be provided under this section through the personnel of the centers (commonly referred to as vet centers) providing readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code. (e)
Timing of counseling
The counseling provided to a member of the National Guard and Reserves under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c) shall be provided not later than 14 days after the date of the return of the member to the member's home following a deployment to a combat theater. (f)
Retention on active duty pending counseling
A member of the National Guard and Reserves described in subsection (a) shall be retained on active duty in the Armed Forces until the provision of the counseling required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c). (g)
Additional counseling
The Secretary shall ensure that the centers referred to in subsection (d), as part of the discharge of their functions under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code, provide, and have sufficient resources to provide, such follow-up and additional counseling services to veterans described in subsection (a) as such veterans shall request from such centers, in accordance with applicable law. (h)
Report
(1)
Report required
Not later than one year after the date of the commencement of the provision of counseling services under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the provision of such services under this section. (2)
Elements
The report required by paragraph (1) shall include information as follows: (A)The cost of the provision of counseling services under this section. (B)An assessment of the efficacy of such services in meeting the readjustment needs of veterans described in subsection (a). (C)An assessment (based on surveys or such information as the Secretary considers appropriate) of the satisfaction of veterans described in subsection (a) with the services provided under this section, including the manner in which such services are provided. (D)The number of followup visits for counseling and services of veterans described in subsection (a) and the number of visits of family members of such veterans for counseling and services. (E)Such recommendations as the Secretary considers appropriate in order to enhance the services provided under this section, including the manner in which such services are provided. (i)
Appropriate committees of Congress defined
In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1)the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Armed Services of the Senate; and (2)the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Armed Services of the House of Representatives. (j)
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2007, such sums as may be necessary for the provision of counseling services under this section.
4.
Funding for vet centers
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2007, $180,000,000 for the provision of readjustment counseling and related mental health services through centers (commonly referred to as vet centers) under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code.