[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2162 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 2162

  To improve the treatment and services provided by the Department of 
 Veterans Affairs to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and 
            substance use disorders, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 15, 2007

   Mr. Akaka introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
             referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To improve the treatment and services provided by the Department of 
 Veterans Affairs to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and 
            substance use disorders, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Mental Health 
Improvements Act of 2007''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
        TITLE I--SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE

Sec. 101. Findings on substance use disorders and mental health.
Sec. 102. Expansion of substance use disorder treatment services at 
                            Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
                            Centers.
Sec. 103. Care for veterans with mental health and substance use 
                            disorders by clinician teams.
Sec. 104. Program for enhanced treatment of substance use disorders and 
                            post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans.
Sec. 105. National centers of excellence on post-traumatic stress 
                            disorder and substance use disorders.
Sec. 106. Report on residential mental health care facilities of the 
                            Veterans Health Administration.
Sec. 107. Tribute to Justin Bailey.
           TITLE II--MENTAL HEALTH ACCESSIBILITY ENHANCEMENTS

Sec. 201. Pilot program on peer outreach and support for veterans and 
                            use of community mental health centers and 
                            Indian Health Service facilities.
                          TITLE III--RESEARCH

Sec. 301. Research program on comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder 
                            and substance use disorders.
Sec. 302. Extension of authorization for Special Committee on Post-
                            Traumatic Stress Disorder.
             TITLE IV--ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES OF VETERANS

Sec. 401. Clarification of authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
                            to provide mental health services to 
                            families of veterans.
Sec. 402. Pilot program on provision of readjustment and transition 
                            assistance to veterans and their families 
                            in cooperation with Vet Centers.

        TITLE I--SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE

SEC. 101. FINDINGS ON SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND MENTAL HEALTH.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) More than 1,500,000 members of the Armed Forces have 
        been deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring 
        Freedom. The 2005 Department of Defense Survey of Health 
        Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Personnel reports that 23 
        percent of members of the Armed Forces on active duty 
        acknowledge a significant problem with alcohol use, with 
        similar rates of acknowledged problems with alcohol use among 
        members of the National Guard.
            (2) The effects of substance abuse are wide ranging, 
        including significantly increased risk of suicide, exacerbation 
        of mental and physical health disorders, breakdown of family 
        support, and increased risk of unemployment and homelessness.
            (3) While veterans suffering from mental health conditions, 
        chronic physical illness, and polytrauma may be at increased 
        risk for development of a substance use disorder, treatment for 
        these veterans is complicated by the need to address adequately 
        the physical and mental symptoms associated with these 
        conditions through appropriate medical intervention.
            (4) While the Veterans Health Administration has 
        dramatically increased health services for veterans from 1996 
        through 2006, the number of veterans receiving specialized 
        substance abuse treatment services decreased 18 percent during 
        that time. No comparable decrease in the national rate of 
        substance abuse has been observed during that time.
            (5) While some facilities of the Veterans Health 
        Administration provide exemplary substance use disorder 
        treatment services, the availability of such treatment services 
        throughout the health care system of the Veterans Health 
        Administration is inconsistent.
            (6) According to the Government Accountability Office, the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs significantly reduced its 
        substance use disorder treatment and rehabilitation services 
        between 1996 and 2006, and has made little progress since in 
        restoring these services to their pre-1996 levels.

SEC. 102. EXPANSION OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT SERVICES AT 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTERS.

    (a) Provision of Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services.--The 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure the provision, at each 
Department of Veterans Affairs medical center and community based 
outpatient clinic, of the following services and treatments with 
respect to substance use disorder for veterans:
            (1) Short term motivational counseling services.
            (2) Intensive outpatient care services.
            (3) Relapse prevention services.
            (4) Ongoing aftercare and outpatient counseling services.
            (5) Opiate substitution therapy services.
            (6) Pharmacological treatments aimed at reducing craving 
        for drugs and alcohol.
            (7) Detoxification and stabilization services.
            (8) Such other services as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.
    (b) Exemptions.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may exempt an individual 
        medical center or community based outpatient clinic from 
        providing all of the services otherwise required by subsection 
        (a).
            (2) Annual report.--Each year, the Secretary shall submit 
        to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives 
        a report setting forth the exemptions made under paragraph (1) 
        as of the date of the report and the reasons therefor.

SEC. 103. CARE FOR VETERANS WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE 
              DISORDERS BY CLINICIAN TEAMS.

    (a) In General.--In the event the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
provides a veteran inpatient or outpatient care for a substance use 
disorder and a comorbid mental health disorder, the Secretary shall 
ensure that treatment for such disorders is provided concurrently by a 
team of clinicians with appropriate expertise.
    (b) Team of Clinicians With Appropriate Expertise Defined.--In this 
section, the term ``team of clinicians with appropriate expertise'' 
means a team consisting of the following:
            (1) Clinicians and health professionals with expertise in 
        treatment of substance use disorders and mental health 
        disorders.
            (2) Such other professionals as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate for the provision of treatment to veterans for 
        substance use and mental health disorders.

SEC. 104. PROGRAM FOR ENHANCED TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND 
              POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out 
a program for the purpose of enhancing the care and treatment for 
veterans with substance use disorders and post-traumatic stress 
disorder (PTSD).
    (b) Allocation of Funds.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
carry out the program through a competitive allocation of funds to 
facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the provision of 
care and treatment to veterans described in subsection (a).
    (c) Application.--A facility of the Department, including a medical 
center, a community based outpatient clinic, or a readjustment 
counseling center, seeking an allocation of funds under this section 
shall submit to the Secretary an application therefor in such form and 
in such manner as the Secretary considers appropriate.
    (d) Use of Allocated Funds.--Each Department facility receiving an 
allocation of funds under this section shall use such funds for the 
purpose described in subsection (a), including the establishment or 
improvement of the following:
            (1) Programs that treat veterans with post-traumatic stress 
        disorder and a substance use disorder through a systematic 
        integration of treatment for such disorders.
            (2) Programs that treat veterans with substance use 
        disorders through the development of substance use disorder 
        intervention strategies, including strategies developed in 
        collaboration with the families of veterans.
            (3) Peer outreach programs that--
                    (A) re-engage veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom 
                and Operation Enduring Freedom who miss multiple 
                appointments for treatment of post-traumatic stress 
                disorder or a substance use disorder; and
                    (B) are conducted--
                            (i) through readjustment counseling 
                        centers;
                            (ii) in tandem with efforts of community-
                        based outpatient clinics and post-traumatic 
                        stress disorder and substance use disorder 
                        treatment teams based in Department of Veterans 
                        Affairs medical centers; and
                            (iii) with appropriate regard for patient 
                        privacy.
            (4) Collaboration between urgent care clinicians at 
        Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and substance 
        use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder treatment 
        professionals to ensure expedited referral of veterans who are 
        diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder or a substance 
        use disorder.
            (5) Programs of treatment or services for veterans with 
        substance use disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder that 
        utilize innovative and flexible scheduling of treatment and 
        services by emphasizing scheduling of group meetings or 
        appointments in the evening and on weekends.
            (6) Evidence-based treatment of post-traumatic stress 
        disorder and substance use disorders.
    (e) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
of the House of Representatives a report setting forth the programs and 
facilities for which funds have been allocated under this section as of 
the date of the report.
    (f) Funding.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the program described in 
        this section, the Secretary shall allocate for each of fiscal 
        years 2008, 2009, and 2010, from funds available to the 
        Department for medical care in such fiscal year, an amount 
        equal to not less than $50,000,000 to carry out the program.
            (2) Minimum funding.--In allocating amounts under paragraph 
        (1), the Secretary shall ensure that, after funds are allocated 
        under this section for a fiscal year, the total expenditure for 
        programs of the Department relating to the treatment of post-
        traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders is not 
        less than $50,000,000 in excess of the baseline amount in that 
        fiscal year.
            (3) Baseline.--For purposes of paragraph (2), the baseline 
        amount is the amount of the total expenditures on programs of 
        the Department relating to the treatment of post-traumatic 
        stress disorder and substance use disorders for the most recent 
        fiscal year for which final expenditure amounts are known 
        (except for amounts made available to carry out this section), 
        adjusted to reflect any subsequent increase in applicable costs 
        to deliver such programs.

SEC. 105. NATIONAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE ON POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS 
              DISORDER AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 7330A. National centers of excellence on post-traumatic stress 
              disorder and substance use disorders
    ``(a) Establishment of Centers.--(1) The Secretary shall establish 
not less than six national centers of excellence on post-traumatic 
stress disorder and substance use disorders.
    ``(2) The purpose of the centers established under this section is 
to serve as Department facilities that provide comprehensive inpatient 
treatment and recovery services for veterans newly diagnosed with both 
post-traumatic stress disorder and a substance use disorder.
    ``(b) Location.--Each center established in accordance with 
subsection (a) shall be located at a medical center of the Department 
that--
            ``(1) provides inpatient care;
            ``(2) is geographically situated in an area with a high 
        number of veterans that have been diagnosed with both post-
        traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder; and
            ``(3) is capable of treating post-traumatic stress disorder 
        and substance use disorders.
    ``(c) Process of Referral and Transition to Step Down Diagnosis 
Rehabilitation Treatment Programs.--The Secretary shall establish a 
process to refer and aid the transition of veterans from the national 
centers of excellence on post-traumatic stress disorder and substance 
use disorders established pursuant to subsection (a) to programs that 
provide step down rehabilitation treatment for individuals with post-
traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 73 of such title is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 7330 the following new item:

``7330A. National centers of excellence on post-traumatic stress 
                            disorder and substance use disorders.''.

SEC. 106. REPORT ON RESIDENTIAL MENTAL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES OF THE 
              VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than six months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, acting 
through the Office of the Medical Inspector of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs--
            (1) conduct a review of all residential mental health care 
        facilities, including domiciliary facilities, of the Veterans 
        Health Administration; and
            (2) submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives a report on the review.
    (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a)(2) shall 
include the following:
            (1) A description of the availability of care in 
        residential mental health care facilities in each Veterans 
        Integrated Service Network (VISN).
            (2) An assessment of the supervision and support provided 
        in the residential mental health care facilities of the 
        Veterans Health Administration.
            (3) The ratio of staff members at each residential mental 
        health care facility to patients at such facility.
            (4) An assessment of the appropriateness of rules and 
        procedures for the prescription and administration of 
        medications to patients in such residential mental health care 
        facilities.
            (5) A description of the protocols at each residential 
        mental health care facility for handling missed appointments.
            (6) Any recommendations the Secretary considers appropriate 
        for improvements to such residential mental health care 
        facilities and the care provided in such facilities.

SEC. 107. TRIBUTE TO JUSTIN BAILEY.

    This title is enacted in tribute to Justin Bailey, who, after 
returning to the United States from service as a member of the Armed 
Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom, died in a domiciliary facility of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs while receiving care for post-
traumatic stress disorder and a substance use disorder.

           TITLE II--MENTAL HEALTH ACCESSIBILITY ENHANCEMENTS

SEC. 201. PILOT PROGRAM ON PEER OUTREACH AND SUPPORT FOR VETERANS AND 
              USE OF COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS AND INDIAN HEALTH 
              SERVICE FACILITIES.

    (a) Pilot Program Required.--Commencing not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasability and 
advisability of providing to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
Operation Enduring Freedom, and, in particular, veterans who served in 
such operations as a member of the National Guard or Reserve, the 
following:
            (1) Peer outreach services.
            (2) Peer support services.
            (3) Readjustment counseling services described in section 
        1712A of title 38, United States Code.
            (4) Other Mental health services.
    (b) Provision of Certain Services.--In providing services described 
in paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (a) under the pilot program to 
veterans who reside in rural areas and do not have adequate access 
through the Department of Veterans Affairs to the services described in 
such paragraphs, the Secretary shall, acting through the Office of 
Rural Health, provide such services as follows:
            (1) Through community health centers under contracts or 
        other agreements for the provision of such services that are 
        entered into for purposes of the pilot program.
            (2) Through the Indian Health Service pursuant to a 
        memorandum of understanding entered into by the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
        for purposes of the pilot program.
    (c) Duration.--The pilot program shall be carried out during the 
three-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the 
pilot program.
    (d) Program Locations.--
            (1) In general.--The pilot program shall be carried out in 
        at least two Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) 
        selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program.
            (2) Rural geographic locations.--At least two of the 
        locations selected shall be in rural geographic locations that 
        lack access to comprehensive mental health services through the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (e) Participation in Program.--Each community mental health center 
or facility of the Indian Health Service participating in the pilot 
program under subsection (b) shall--
            (1) provide the services described in paragraphs (3) and 
        (4) of subsection (a) to eligible veterans, including, to the 
        extent practicable, through the utilization of telehealth 
        services for the provision of such services;
            (2) utilize best practices and technologies; and
            (3) meet such other requirements as the Secretary shall 
        require.
    (f) Compliance With Department Protocols.--Each community mental 
health center or facility of the Indian Health Service participating in 
the pilot program under subsection (b) shall comply with applicable 
protocols of the Department before incurring any liability on behalf of 
the Department for the provision of services as part of the pilot 
program.
    (g) Provision of Clinical Information.--Each community mental 
health center or facility of the Indian Health Service participating in 
the pilot program under subsection (b) shall provide the Secretary with 
such clinical information on each veteran for whom such health center 
or facility provides mental health services under the pilot program as 
the Secretary shall require.
    (h) Training.--
            (1) Training of veterans.--As part of the pilot program, 
        the Secretary shall carry out a national program of training 
        for veterans described in subsection (a) to provide the 
        services described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of such 
        subsection.
            (2) Training of clinicians.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a 
                training program for clinicians of community mental 
                health centers or Indian Health Service facilities 
                participating in the pilot program under subsection (b) 
                to ensure that such clinicians can provide the services 
                described in paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (a) 
                in a manner that accounts for factors that are unique 
                to the experiences of veterans who served on active 
                duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring 
                Freedom (including their combat and military training 
                experiences).
                    (B) Participation in training.--Each community 
                mental health center or facility of the Indian Health 
                Service participating in the pilot program under 
                subsection (b) shall participate in the training 
                program conducted pursuant to subparagraph (A).
    (i) Annual Reports.--Each community mental health center or 
facility of the Indian Health Service participating in the pilot 
program under subsection (b) shall submit to the Secretary on an annual 
basis a report containing, with respect to the provision of services 
under subsection (b) and for the last full calendar year ending before 
the submission of such report--
            (1) the number of--
                    (A) veterans served; and
                    (B) courses of treatment provided; and
            (2) demographic information for such services, diagnoses, 
        and courses of treatment.
    (j) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``community mental health center'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 410.2 of title 42, Code of 
        Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of 
        the enactment of this Act).
            (2) The term ``eligible veteran'' means a veteran in need 
        of mental health services who--
                    (A) is enrolled in the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs health care system; and
                    (B) has received a referral from a health 
                professional of the Veterans Health Administration to a 
                community mental health center or to a facility of the 
                Indian Health Service for purposes of the pilot 
                program.
            (3) The term ``Indian Health Service'' means the 
        organization established by section 601(a) of the Indian Health 
        Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1661(a)).
    (k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this section.

                          TITLE III--RESEARCH

SEC. 301. RESEARCH PROGRAM ON COMORBID POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER 
              AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS.

    (a) Program Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
carry out a program of research into comorbid post-traumatic stress 
disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder.
    (b) Discharge Through National Center for Posttraumatic Stress 
Disorder.--The research program required by subsection (a) shall be 
carried out and overseen by the National Center for Posttraumatic 
Stress Disorder. In carrying out the program, the Center shall--
            (1) develop protocols and goals with respect to research 
        under the program; and
            (2) coordinate research, data collection, and data 
        dissemination under the program.
    (c) Research.--The program of research required by subsection (a) 
shall address the following:
            (1) Comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder and substance 
        use disorder.
            (2) The systematic integration of treatment for post-
        traumatic stress disorder with treatment for substance use 
        disorder.
            (3) The development of protocols to evaluate care of 
        veterans with comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder and 
        substance use disorder and to facilitate cumulative clinical 
        progress of such veterans over time.
    (d) Funding.--
            (1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated for the Department of Veterans Affairs for 
        each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011, $2,000,000 to carry out 
        this section.
            (2) Availability.--Amounts authorized to be appropriated by 
        paragraph (1) shall be made available to the National Center on 
        Posttraumatic Stress Disorder for the purpose specified in that 
        paragraph.
            (3) Supplement not supplant.--Any amount made available to 
        the National Center on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder for a 
        fiscal year under paragraph (2) is in addition to any other 
        amounts made available to the National Center on Posttraumatic 
        Stress Disorder for such year under any other provision of law.

SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON POST-
              TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

    Section 110(e)(2) of the Veterans' Health Care Act of 1984 (38 
U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended by striking ``through 2008'' and 
inserting ``through 2012''.

             TITLE IV--ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES OF VETERANS

SEC. 401. CLARIFICATION OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO FAMILIES OF 
              VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1701(5)(B) of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``marriage and family counseling,'' after 
        ``professional counseling,''; and
            (2) by striking ``as may be essential to'' and inserting 
        ``as the Secretary considers appropriate for''.
    (b) Location.--Paragraph (5) of section 1701 of title 38, United 
States Code, shall not be construed to prevent the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs from providing services described in subparagraph (B) 
of such paragraph to individuals described in such subparagraph in 
Readjustment Counseling Centers, Department of Veterans Affairs medical 
centers, community-based outpatient clinics, or in such other 
facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs as the Secretary 
considers necessary.

SEC. 402. PILOT PROGRAM ON PROVISION OF READJUSTMENT AND TRANSITION 
              ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN COOPERATION 
              WITH VET CENTERS.

    (a) Pilot Program.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry 
out, through a non-Department of Veterans Affairs entity, a pilot 
program to assess the feasability and advisability of providing 
readjustment and transition assistance described in subsection (b) to 
veterans and their families in cooperation with centers under section 
1712A of title 38, United States Code (commonly referred to as ``Vet 
Centers'').
    (b) Readjustment and Transition Assistance.--Readjustment and 
transition assistance described in this subsection is assistance as 
follows:
            (1) Readjustment and transition assistance that is 
        preemptive, proactive, and principle-centered.
            (2) Assistance and training for veterans and their families 
        in coping with the challenges associated with making the 
        transition from military to civilian life.
    (c) Non-Department of Veterans Affairs Entity.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot 
        program through any for-profit or non-profit organization 
        selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program 
        that has demonstrated expertise and experience in the provision 
        of assistance and training described in subsection (b).
            (2) Contract or agreement.--The Secretary shall carry out 
        the pilot program through a non-Department entity described in 
        paragraph (1) pursuant to a contract or other agreement entered 
        into by the Secretary and the entity for purposes of the pilot 
        program.
    (d) Duration of Pilot Program.--The pilot program shall be carried 
out during the three-year period beginning on the date of the enactment 
of this Act, and may be carried out for additional one-year periods 
thereafter.
    (e) Location of Pilot Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        provide assistance under the pilot program in cooperation with 
        10 centers described in subsection (a) designated by the 
        Secretary for purposes of the pilot program.
            (2) Designations.--In designating centers described in 
        subsection (a) for purposes of the pilot program, the Secretary 
        shall designate centers so as to provide a balanced 
        geographical representation of such centers throughout the 
        United States, including the District of Columbia, the 
        Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, tribal lands, and other 
        territories and possessions of the United States.
    (f) Participation of Centers.--A center described in subsection (a) 
that is designated under subsection (e) for participation in the pilot 
program shall participate in the pilot program by promoting awareness 
of the assistance and training available to veterans and their families 
through--
            (1) the facilities and other resources of such center;
            (2) the non-Department of Veterans Affairs entity selected 
        pursuant to subsection (c); and
            (3) other appropriate mechanisms.
    (g) Additional Support.--In carrying out the pilot program, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into contracts or other 
agreements, in addition to the contract or agreement described in 
subsection (c), with such other non-Department of Veterans Affairs 
entities meeting the requirements of subsection (c) as the Secretary 
considers appropriate for purposes of the pilot program.
    (h) Report on Pilot Program.--
            (1) Report required.--Not later than six months after the 
        date of the conclusion of the pilot program, the Secretary 
        shall submit to the congressional veterans affairs committees a 
        report on the pilot program.
            (2) Elements.--Each report under paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) A description of the activities under the pilot 
                program as of the date of such report, including the 
                number of veterans and families provided assistance 
                under the pilot program and the scope and nature of the 
                assistance so provided.
                    (B) A current assessment of the effectiveness of 
                the pilot program.
                    (C) Any recommendations that the Secretary 
                considers appropriate for the extension or expansion of 
                the pilot program.
            (3) Congressional veterans affairs committees defined.--In 
        this subsection, the term ``congressional veterans affairs 
        committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and 
                Appropriations of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and 
                Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated for 
        the Department of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal years 
        2008 through 2010 $1,000,000 to carry out this section.
            (2) Availability.--Amounts authorized to be appropriated by 
        paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.
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