II 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2689 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 4, 2008 Mr. Smith (for himself, Mr. Bayh, and Mr. Nelson of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To amend section 411h of title 37, United States Code, to provide travel and transportation allowances for family members of members of the uniformed services with serious inpatient psychiatric conditions.
1.
Travel and transportation of family members incident to serious inpatient psychiatric conditions of members of the uniformed services
(a)
In general
Paragraph (2)(B)(i) of subsection (a) of section 411h of title 37, United States Code, is amended by striking seriously injured, or in and inserting is seriously injured, has a serious psychiatric condition and meets the conditions set forth in paragraph (4), or is in. (b)
Conditions applicable to servicemembers with serious psychiatric conditions
Such subsection is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4)Travel and transportation described in subsection (c) may be provided under this subsection for family members of a member of the uniformed services described under paragraph (2) who has a serious psychiatric condition if the following conditions are met: (A)The member is receiving treatment at a treatment facility located in the United States. (B)The travel and transportation is provided pursuant to travel orders issued upon the recommendation of a physician, including a recommendation that the family presence would be helpful and beneficial to the treatment and recovery of the member. (C)Safe and appropriate accommodations are made available to the family members. . (c)
Serious psychiatric condition defined
Subsection (b) of such section is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4)In this section, the term serious psychiatric condition, in the case of a member, means that the member has been diagnosed with a psychotic condition requiring hospitalization, has attempted suicide or exhibited suicidal behavior (as verified by appropriate medical personnel), or has been diagnosed with any other psychiatric condition that requires extensive medical treatment or hospitalization. A member placed within the Special Patient (SPEPAT) or Special Category (SPECCAT) casualty category is a member with a serious psychiatric condition for purposes of this section. .