<enum>I</enum><header>Department of Defense Matters</header> <section id="id22AC07CF2D34404AA068387782436B1B" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>101.</enum><header>Enhancement of oversight and management of Department of Defense suicide prevention and resilience programs</header> <subsection id="idF980CCFA97DA48898257B36D8010FEAF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, establish within the Office of the Secretary of Defense a position with responsibility for oversight and management of all suicide prevention and resilience programs and all preventative behavioral health programs of the Department of Defense (including those of the military departments and the Armed Forces).</text> </subsection><subsection id="id27093D950A454BA5A083B0766F903F72"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Scope of responsibilities</header><text>The individual serving in the position established pursuant to subsection (a) shall have the responsibilities as follows:</text> <paragraph id="id82c39bcf51514b1d87674f6ff733bbfb"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To establish a uniform definition of resiliency for use in the suicide prevention and resilience programs and preventative behavioral health programs of the Department of Defense (including those of the military departments and the Armed Forces).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id95361962291F48ABAE39CDF06372FF52"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In consultation with the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder of the Department of Veterans Affairs and other appropriate public and private agencies and entities, to require the use of clinical best practices in mental health care, suicide prevention programs, and resilience programs of the Department of Defense, including the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral health disorders.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idEE1725B312AC40F5BBDDB3540FD87129"><enum>(3)</enum><text>To oversee and manage the comprehensive program on the prevention of suicide among members of the Armed Forces required by section 102.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id7AED6B8308434E50B1A97B0EA563FE5D"><enum>102.</enum><header>Comprehensive program on prevention of suicide among members of the Armed Forces</header> <subsection id="id2685184FF7654368B913EF496A9490EF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Comprehensive program required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Defense shall, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, develop and implement within the Department of Defense a comprehensive program on the prevention of suicide among members of the Armed Forces. In developing the program, the Secretary shall consider recommendations from the operational elements of the Armed Forces regarding the feasibility of the implementation and execution of particular elements of the program.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idD6475F6AAAB44EA794EABF712EFF4CF5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The comprehensive program required by subsection (a) shall include elements to achieve the following:</text> <paragraph id="id684774f6cf5140c6ab0ff7d794494e21"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To raise awareness among members of the Armed Forces about mental health conditions and the stigma associated with mental health conditions and mental health care.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id62ff5fe0030d4092b2073ffe2fd07dea"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To provide members of the Armed Forces generally, members of the Armed Forces in supervisory positions (including officers in command billets and non-commissioned officers), and medical personnel of the Armed Forces and the Department of Defense with effective means of identifying members of the Armed Forces who are at risk for suicide (including enhanced means for early identification and treatment of such members), including through training required by section 103.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ida8655000ee01471abd7996f37c0eb0bf"><enum>(3)</enum><text>To provide members of the Armed Forces who are at risk of suicide with continuous access to suicide prevention services, including suicide crisis services.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id7BF3F264977D47558FB3B29E87FEACAA"><enum>(4)</enum><text>To evaluate and assess the effectiveness of the suicide prevention and resilience programs and preventative behavioral health programs of the Department of Defense (including those of the military departments and the Armed Forces), including the development of metrics for that purpose.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF1AF75A4A6134B36957C9C06703B365F"><enum>(5)</enum><text>To evaluate and assess the current diagnostic tools and treatment methods in the programs referred to in paragraph (4) in order to ensure clinical best practices are used in such programs.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6A7E9948081942CFA39C18FB076EB7C3"><enum>(6)</enum><text>To ensure that the programs referred to in paragraph (4) incorporate evidenced-based practices when available.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF3DE255BE755491384DEC6C15BAC7E81"><enum>(7)</enum><text>To provide for the training of mental health care providers on evidence-based therapies in connection with suicide prevention.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idA74E3789A35F4BB5838262BFCD0AAE3F"><enum>(8)</enum><text>To establish training standards for behavioral health care providers in order to ensure that such providers receive training on clinical best practices and evidence-based treatments as information on such practices and treatments becomes available, and to ensure such standards are met.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ide6dcaa3e53e241bfad5ca0aef9018731"><enum>(9)</enum><text>To provide for the integration of mental health screenings and suicide risk and prevention for members of the Armed Forces into the delivery of primary care for such members.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id4A9A94808F634D7484F6DAF532197C6B"><enum>(10)</enum><text>To ensure appropriate responses to attempted or completed suicides among members of the Armed Forces, including guidance and training to assist commanders in addressing incidents of attempted or completed suicide within their units.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id861B06AA2FD64E9B893AF3FDD4CAECA5"><enum>(11)</enum><text>To ensure the protection of the privacy of members of the Armed Forces seeking or receiving treatment relating to suicide.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD8E7CCCFA0AC4670B93DEEA9300B85D9"><enum>(12)</enum><text>Such other matters as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate in connection with the prevention of suicide among members of the Armed Forces.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id1F29EFD634704DBB8864294904A4924C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>In developing and implementing the comprehensive program required by subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary shall consult with appropriate officials and elements of the Department of Defense, appropriate centers of excellence within the Department of Defense, and other public and private entities with expertise in mental health and suicide prevention.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idC55A6C86F5944BC4A653FF7CC54D1018"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Implementation by the Armed Forces</header><text>In implementing the comprehensive program required by subsection (a) with respect to an Armed Force, the Secretary of the military department concerned may, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary and with the approval of the Secretary of Defense, modify particular elements of the program in order to adapt the program appropriately to the unique culture and elements of that Armed Force.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id0401348FDA6A44BC9E349BA24BD7FBD0"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Quality assurance</header><text>In developing and implementing the comprehensive program required by subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary shall develop and implement appropriate mechanisms to provide for the oversight and management of the program, including quality measures to assess the efficacy of the program in preventing suicide among members of the Armed Forces.</text> </subsection></section><section id="id798C876AACDA4DE09CBC8D201A63510B"><enum>103.</enum><header>Enhancement of training and education for physicians, mental health care providers, and related personnel on identification and treatment of behavioral health disorders</header> <subsection id="id925C552B3F72414F96B1B0B9ADBAFBFE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Physicians</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the continuing medical education provided physicians in the military medical treatment system includes education and training on the triage and referral of individuals with mental health conditions.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id7AD2F0A6DDD54FF88D406C81AB5C3126"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Mental health care providers</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall develop and implement continuing education program requirements for mental health care providers and behavioral health care providers in the military medical treatment system in order to ensure that such providers keep current on best clinical practices for the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral health disorders in members of the Armed Forces.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idB0EF80CA169D4CFBA5B5B18FD123673E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Counselors and related personnel</header> <paragraph id="idCE43F3BF63184BE78D12CF488C3B3267"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall develop and implement throughout the Armed Forces a program of training for the members of the Armed Forces and personnel of the Department of Defense described in paragraph (2) in order to familiarize such members and personnel with the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id5DA949BC66FB461DA5BB8DE4CEFBE294"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The signs and symptoms of behavioral health disorders that manifest frequently in members of the Armed Forces.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id14820F885A04448A87810AC48E0A9846"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The courses of action to be undertaken by such personnel who detect such signs and symptoms in members of the Armed Forces.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id119525855F7D46359989ECB0363F9254"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Covered members and personnel</header><text>The members of the Armed Forces and personnel of the Department of Defense described in this paragraph are the following:</text> <subparagraph id="idEA6560B0A886469788861EEADDD42DEC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Physician assistants in the military medical treatment system.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE5900AA2A3F74579A698DC2B258413E0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Medics.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id51BD714CBCF343559AB05D70E788290C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Military chaplains.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id081247C13DDF46E9AD60303C8225BE9F"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Such other members of the Armed Forces or civilian personnel of the Department of Defense as the Secretary shall designate for purposes of this subsection.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idFC906FF78E2B4B349CE55C0F8A9320D2"><enum>104.</enum><header>Limitation on disclosure of mental health conditions or treatment or requests for treatment of members of the Armed Forces</header> <subsection id="idC0D4E1807C674BC5AD98FC91B1C341F5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>A medical or mental health care provider in the military medical treatment system may not disclose a mental health condition of a member of the Armed Forces, treatment of a member for a mental health condition, or a request of a member for treatment of a mental health condition, except as provided in subsection (b).</text> </subsection><subsection id="idA32C165B267A465789C84114B7A8000D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><text>A medical or mental health care provider may make a disclosure described by subsection (a) if—</text> <paragraph id="idEDDBD4690F0C4303A26E3321E4E0E528"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the disclosure to another covered entity (as that term is defined for purposes of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) is necessary;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id98CE5B069E8D418992F9A89FAB0A4E39"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the member concerned requests the disclosure;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id3011CCD1FA4044AE80BEF2CF94A4C62B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the member concerned does not meet the minimum standards for deployment prescribed under section 1074f(f) of title 10, United States Code, at the time of the disclosure, regardless of the deployment status or plans of the member; or</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id8BF0F49B435F46A796D6C9CCE58A8644"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the disclosure is necessary in an emergency to protect the life or safety of the member concerned or others.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id2B5A101773CE457C866D0137A4995021"><enum>105.</enum><header>Sharing between Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs of records and information retained under the medical tracking system for members of the Armed Forces deployed overseas</header> <subsection id="id13D290F972054CA59F8F4EE151263F0E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly enter into a memorandum of understanding providing for the sharing by the Department of Defense with the Department of Veterans Affairs of the results of examinations and other records on members of the Armed Forces that are retained and maintained with respect to the medical tracking system for members deployed overseas under section 1074f(c) of title 10, United States Code.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idFEE1DDB4C00F499686ECF09FDAC9EB1C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Cessation upon implementation of electronic health record</header><text>The sharing required pursuant to subsection (a) shall cease on the date on which the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs jointly certify to Congress that the Secretaries have fully implemented an integrated electronic health record for members of the Armed Forces that is fully interoperable between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </subsection></section><section id="idBDFD7102BB6548AEB2013617991D5B86"><enum>106.</enum><header>Participation of members of the Armed Forces in peer support counseling programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs</header> <subsection id="id6CB7E736C7AC421B860C618A62184C54"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Participation</header> <paragraph id="id5FFA99C577054851901E2110F4FCA874"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly enter into a memorandum of understanding providing for members of the Armed Forces described in subsection (b) to volunteer or be considered for employment as peer counselors under the following:</text> <subparagraph id="idDA199A4524E541478774EBF660AE987E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The peer support counseling program carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under subsection (j) of section 1720F of title 38, United States Code, as part of the comprehensive program for suicide prevention among veterans under subsection (a) of such section.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id922B25AB675F43E7BC4D6F24E0A2C75A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The peer support counseling program carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 304(a)(1) of Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–163; 124 Stat. 1150; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id62EBC51BAA30460CB9EE72836BE22278"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Training</header><text>Any member participating in a peer support counseling program under paragraph (1) shall receive the training for peer counselors under section 1720F(j)(2) of title 38, United States Code, or section 304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, as applicable, before performing peer support counseling duties under such program.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id5A8B1652A58B454FB45FF3E59E9AC576"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered members</header><text>Members of the Armed Forces described in this subsection are the following:</text> <paragraph id="id9F83AF3FB309401A81D8C25E42C98C21"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who are demobilizing after deployment in a theater of combat operations, including, in particular, members who participated in combat against the enemy while so deployed.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id3E4CCC97FB1449B2ABC3B06203CB0FBE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Members of the regular components of the Armed Forces separating from active duty who have been deployed in a theater of combat operations in which such members participated in combat against the enemy.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idA3A2F706099147D4B59C225C14BE514E"><enum>107.</enum><header>Research and medical practice on mental health conditions</header> <subsection id="id41C1596209FA4443B2B3B6B7826C88BD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Department of Defense organization on research and practice</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Department of Defense an organization to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (b).</text> </subsection><subsection id="id317DADC9C1E34E3AAA3D3F13B757E126"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The organization established under subsection (a) shall—</text> <paragraph id="idBBDE298051BA4F5A80034747CCB61B46"><enum>(1)</enum><text>carry out programs and activities designed to provide for the translation of research on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions into policy on medical practices;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idC39CABAEA42C496F96A4F339165AF01A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>make recommendations to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs on the translation of such research into the policies of the Department of Defense on medical practices with respect to members of the Armed Forces; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idA677F83F085F4594A5E795F85653CF86"><enum>(3)</enum><text>discharge such other responsibilities relating to research and medical practices on mental health conditions, and the policies of the Department on such practices with respect to members of the Armed Forces, as the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary shall specify for purposes of this section.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD7A1308998B648B9B5A903E81DE7CE1B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Reports</header> <paragraph id="id9360FF0A877B4C73BD14010D38105BC3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Initial report</header><text>Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the organization required by subsection (a). The report shall include a description of the organization and a plan for implementing the requirements of this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idBC37FF65AFF94632A54BC6C6D15E7CE6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Annual reports</header><text>The Secretary shall submit to Congress each year a report on the activities of the organization established under subsection (a) during the preceding year. Each report shall include the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id07B20CEE7046421794FFAD24EE824A7D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A summary description of the activities of the organization during the preceding year.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id402F0630D51D43A588A41EEDE7F93D3A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A description of the recommendations made by the organization to the Assistant Secretary under subsection (b)(2) during the year, and a description of the actions undertaken (or to be undertaken) by the Assistant Secretary in response to such recommendations.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id47F44E46901C43EBBB77CDEF4BB51678"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Such other matters relating to the activities of the organization, including recommendations for additional legislative or administrative action, as the Secretary, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary, considers appropriate.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id816FC3B1C7584092AFC4168A6E859ED8"><enum>108.</enum><header>Quality review of Medical Evaluation Boards, Physical Evaluation Boards, and Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officers</header> <subsection id="id408DF651199E4E8DA4A96858A0129D84"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Defense shall standardize, assess, and monitor the quality assurance programs of the military departments to evaluate the following in the performance of their duties (including duties under chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code):</text> <paragraph id="idD3C0A107CC374E6C97ABB6D49C744A13"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Medical Evaluation Boards (MEBs).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id1BECC8DE9E00444CA63464D332ABED65"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Physical Evaluation Boards (PEBs).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id7B6BC73ED62744B496DA51E9A6966956"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officers (PEBLOs).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id563A4DDF3DB54F5BBFDB8614F8DD4171"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Objectives</header><text>The objectives of the quality assurance program shall be as follows:</text> <paragraph id="idBA78FFCCA5574C72806A4862E823EEB2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To ensure accuracy and consistency in the determinations and decisions of Medical Evaluation Boards and Physical Evaluation Boards.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id94669CB9F07047E38B6270AED7E62EE7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To otherwise monitor and sustain proper performance of the duties of Medical Evaluation Boards and Physical Evaluation Boards, and of Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officers.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id749E0F20FC574F70B8DE8717C4186BD0"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Such other objectives as the Secretary shall specify for purposes of the quality assurance program.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idDFC1564CFA554D328430FD92DE9F7524"><enum>109.</enum><header>Compliance of Department of Defense with requirement for use of Department of Veterans Affairs schedule for rating disabilities in determinations of disability of members of the Armed Forces</header> <subsection id="id519B94EB043A421183C9993358AADA10"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Report required</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report setting forth a comprehensive assessment whether the Secretaries of the military departments (and the policies, regulations, and directives of the military departments) are fully compliant with the requirement in section 1216a of title 10, United States Code, for the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs schedule for rating disabilities in making determinations of disability of members of the Armed Forces for purposes of chapter 61 of that title.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idB87558F1D3D34C3487D6DEFA6943E1F2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Additional element following determination of lack of full compliance</header><text>If the assessment of the Secretary in the report required by subsection (a) is that the Secretaries of the military departments are not fully compliant with the requirement described in that subsection, the report shall include a comprehensive description of the actions to be undertaken by the Secretaries of the military departments to achieve full compliance with the requirement, including a schedule for such actions.</text> </subsection></section><section id="id75945BFD05F04B19BDA8E4CF9F15A623"><enum>110.</enum><header>Disposal of controlled substances</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Defense establishing procedures under which a member of the Armed Forces may deliver a controlled substance to a member of the Armed Forces or an employee of the Department of Defense to be disposed of in accordance with section 302(g) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 822(g)).</text> </section><section id="idE02532A3BD9A46A3871995BF9E12228C"><enum>111.</enum><header>Assessment of adequacy of mental health care benefits under the TRICARE program</header> <subsection id="id5D5D695603E6490A90D92EAF3C7905BA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Independent assessment required</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, enter into a contract with an appropriate independent entity to assess whether the mental health care benefits available for members of the Armed Forces and other covered beneficiaries under the TRICARE program are adequate to meet the needs of such members and beneficiaries for mental health care.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id34EBB9734C914AF9AFCA8E41FCB88C43"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The contract required by subsection (a) shall require the entity conducting the assessment required by the contract to submit to the Secretary of Defense, and to the congressional defense committees, a report setting forth the results of the assessment by not later than 180 days after the date of entry into the contract. If the entity determines pursuant to the assessment that the mental health care benefits available for members of the Armed Forces and other covered beneficiaries under the TRICARE program are not adequate to meet the needs of such members and beneficiaries for mental health care, the report shall include such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the entity considers appropriate to remediate any identified inadequacy.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id3D424B58D95B435FA9B3E833C29BDBC1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text> <paragraph id="id46E1C978E1A440289FF9771DE1F907DB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The term <term>congressional defense committees</term> has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idB066F0B1A844487B9525E6CA89A05942"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The term <term>covered beneficiaries</term> has the meaning given that term in section 1072(5) of title 10, United States Code.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id82CAF282CC644BB9880673343F7A3E26"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The term <term>TRICARE program</term> has the meaning given that term in section 1072(7) of title 10, United States Code.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id51B95B7DF5C44EB4ADDF59800D304D19"><enum>112.</enum><header>Authority to exempt behavioral health care providers under the TRICARE program from State licensure requirements for provision of behavioral health care to members of the Armed Forces and dependents</header> <subsection id="id138ADCB73F0346ED8A6B5249D7A971F9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Defense may, subject to subsection (b), treat any licensed behavioral health care provider or category of licensed behavioral health care providers under the TRICARE program as a health-care professional or professionals exempt from laws regarding the licensure of health care professionals in accordance with section 1094(d) of title 10, United States Code, if the Secretary determines that such treatment is necessary for purposes as follows:</text> <paragraph id="id6DD02F5A8B33468C893F107D18872383"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To ensure continuity in the provision of behavioral health care to a member of the Armed Forces or the member's dependents following a permanent change of station or other relocation of the member and dependents to another State, including through the provision of such care by tele-health or other remote delivery mechanisms.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id260010B340424ECCB64530EFA6E59BA2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To ensure access to behavioral health care under the TRICARE program in areas otherwise unserved or underserved by behavioral health care providers under that program.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id230CAE4BBCE446EDA3B7FE498168D499"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>A behavioral health care provider may not be exempted under subsection (a) from laws described in that subsection unless the health care provider—</text> <paragraph id="id28C4775482BA42B5BCF0E6DAA15034F4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is licensed as a behavioral health care provider by a State; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idF5F6BE978DD64812A178555E5D3561E7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>is authorized under the TRICARE program to act as a behavioral health care provider throughout the TRICARE program.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7605DAB947AC4A07A523497C9D6CACCB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>TRICARE program defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>TRICARE program</term> has the meaning given that term in section 1072(7) of title 10, United States Code.</text> </subsection></section><section id="id9324F0222D804FD0A02D69E601691229"><enum>113.</enum><header>Report on adequacy of capacity of the military medical treatment system regarding inpatient behavioral health care</header> <subsection id="id7A4B74648A104B09940D78A4B085F083"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Report required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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 setting forth an assessment by the Secretary of the adequacy of the capacity of the military medical treatment system to meet the needs of members of the Armed Forces for inpatient behavioral health care, with a particular focus on facilities under that system that support members of the Armed Forces on deployment rotation.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id81EBDA32989E4058B788701965ADB194"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Congressional defense committees defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>congressional defense committees</term> has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code.</text> </subsection></section>

Short title; table of contents

(a)

Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Mental Health Access to Continued Care and Enhancement of Support Services Act of 2012

Mental Health ACCESS Act of 2012

. (b)

Table of contents

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

TITLE I—Department of Defense Matters

Sec. 101. Enhancement of oversight and management of Department of Defense suicide prevention and resilience programs.

Sec. 102. Comprehensive program on prevention of suicide among members of the Armed Forces.

Sec. 103. Enhancement of training and education for physicians, mental health care providers, and related personnel on identification and treatment of behavioral health disorders.

Sec. 104. Limitation on disclosure of mental health conditions or treatment or requests for treatment of members of the Armed Forces.

Sec. 105. Sharing between Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs of records and information retained under the medical tracking system for members of the Armed Forces deployed overseas.

Sec. 106. Participation of members of the Armed Forces in peer support counseling programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Sec. 107. Research and medical practice on mental health conditions.

Sec. 108. Quality review of Medical Evaluation Boards, Physical Evaluation Boards, and Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officers.

Sec. 109. Compliance of Department of Defense with requirement for use of Department of Veterans Affairs schedule for rating disabilities in determinations of disability of members of the Armed Forces.

Sec. 110. Disposal of controlled substances.

Sec. 111. Assessment of adequacy of mental health care benefits under the TRICARE program.

Sec. 112. Authority to exempt behavioral health care providers under the TRICARE program from State licensure requirements for provision of behavioral health care to members of the Armed Forces and dependents.

Sec. 113. Report on adequacy of capacity of the military medical treatment system regarding inpatient behavioral health care.

TITLE II—Department of Veterans Affairs Matters

Sec. 201. Transparency of mental health care services.

Sec. 202. Expansion of Vet Center program to include furnishing counseling to certain members of the Armed Forces and their family members.

Sec. 203. Authority for Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish mental health care through facilities other than Vet Centers to immediate family members of members of the Armed Forces deployed in connection with a contingency operation.

Sec. 204. Organization of the Readjustment Counseling Service in Department of Veterans Affairs.

Sec. 205. Recruiting mental health providers for furnishing of mental health services on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs without compensation from the Department.

Sec. 206. Reimbursement of physicians and dentists for expenses relating to board certification or recertification.

Sec. 207. Peer support.

<enum>I</enum><header>Department of Defense Matters</header> <section id="id22AC07CF2D34404AA068387782436B1B" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>101.</enum><header>Enhancement of oversight and management of Department of Defense suicide prevention and resilience programs</header> <subsection id="idF980CCFA97DA48898257B36D8010FEAF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, establish within the Office of the Secretary of Defense a position with responsibility for oversight and management of all suicide prevention and resilience programs and all preventative behavioral health programs of the Department of Defense (including those of the military departments and the Armed Forces).</text> </subsection><subsection id="id27093D950A454BA5A083B0766F903F72"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Scope of responsibilities</header><text>The individual serving in the position established pursuant to subsection (a) shall have the responsibilities as follows:</text> <paragraph id="id82c39bcf51514b1d87674f6ff733bbfb"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To establish a uniform definition of resiliency for use in the suicide prevention and resilience programs and preventative behavioral health programs of the Department of Defense (including those of the military departments and the Armed Forces).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id95361962291F48ABAE39CDF06372FF52"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In consultation with the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder of the Department of Veterans Affairs and other appropriate public and private agencies and entities, to require the use of clinical best practices in mental health care, suicide prevention programs, and resilience programs of the Department of Defense, including the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral health disorders.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idEE1725B312AC40F5BBDDB3540FD87129"><enum>(3)</enum><text>To oversee and manage the comprehensive program on the prevention of suicide among members of the Armed Forces required by section 102.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id7AED6B8308434E50B1A97B0EA563FE5D"><enum>102.</enum><header>Comprehensive program on prevention of suicide among members of the Armed Forces</header> <subsection id="id2685184FF7654368B913EF496A9490EF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Comprehensive program required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Defense shall, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, develop and implement within the Department of Defense a comprehensive program on the prevention of suicide among members of the Armed Forces. In developing the program, the Secretary shall consider recommendations from the operational elements of the Armed Forces regarding the feasibility of the implementation and execution of particular elements of the program.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idD6475F6AAAB44EA794EABF712EFF4CF5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The comprehensive program required by subsection (a) shall include elements to achieve the following:</text> <paragraph id="id684774f6cf5140c6ab0ff7d794494e21"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To raise awareness among members of the Armed Forces about mental health conditions and the stigma associated with mental health conditions and mental health care.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id62ff5fe0030d4092b2073ffe2fd07dea"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To provide members of the Armed Forces generally, members of the Armed Forces in supervisory positions (including officers in command billets and non-commissioned officers), and medical personnel of the Armed Forces and the Department of Defense with effective means of identifying members of the Armed Forces who are at risk for suicide (including enhanced means for early identification and treatment of such members), including through training required by section 103.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ida8655000ee01471abd7996f37c0eb0bf"><enum>(3)</enum><text>To provide members of the Armed Forces who are at risk of suicide with continuous access to suicide prevention services, including suicide crisis services.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id7BF3F264977D47558FB3B29E87FEACAA"><enum>(4)</enum><text>To evaluate and assess the effectiveness of the suicide prevention and resilience programs and preventative behavioral health programs of the Department of Defense (including those of the military departments and the Armed Forces), including the development of metrics for that purpose.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF1AF75A4A6134B36957C9C06703B365F"><enum>(5)</enum><text>To evaluate and assess the current diagnostic tools and treatment methods in the programs referred to in paragraph (4) in order to ensure clinical best practices are used in such programs.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6A7E9948081942CFA39C18FB076EB7C3"><enum>(6)</enum><text>To ensure that the programs referred to in paragraph (4) incorporate evidenced-based practices when available.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF3DE255BE755491384DEC6C15BAC7E81"><enum>(7)</enum><text>To provide for the training of mental health care providers on evidence-based therapies in connection with suicide prevention.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idA74E3789A35F4BB5838262BFCD0AAE3F"><enum>(8)</enum><text>To establish training standards for behavioral health care providers in order to ensure that such providers receive training on clinical best practices and evidence-based treatments as information on such practices and treatments becomes available, and to ensure such standards are met.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ide6dcaa3e53e241bfad5ca0aef9018731"><enum>(9)</enum><text>To provide for the integration of mental health screenings and suicide risk and prevention for members of the Armed Forces into the delivery of primary care for such members.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id4A9A94808F634D7484F6DAF532197C6B"><enum>(10)</enum><text>To ensure appropriate responses to attempted or completed suicides among members of the Armed Forces, including guidance and training to assist commanders in addressing incidents of attempted or completed suicide within their units.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id861B06AA2FD64E9B893AF3FDD4CAECA5"><enum>(11)</enum><text>To ensure the protection of the privacy of members of the Armed Forces seeking or receiving treatment relating to suicide.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD8E7CCCFA0AC4670B93DEEA9300B85D9"><enum>(12)</enum><text>Such other matters as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate in connection with the prevention of suicide among members of the Armed Forces.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id1F29EFD634704DBB8864294904A4924C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>In developing and implementing the comprehensive program required by subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary shall consult with appropriate officials and elements of the Department of Defense, appropriate centers of excellence within the Department of Defense, and other public and private entities with expertise in mental health and suicide prevention.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idC55A6C86F5944BC4A653FF7CC54D1018"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Implementation by the Armed Forces</header><text>In implementing the comprehensive program required by subsection (a) with respect to an Armed Force, the Secretary of the military department concerned may, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary and with the approval of the Secretary of Defense, modify particular elements of the program in order to adapt the program appropriately to the unique culture and elements of that Armed Force.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id0401348FDA6A44BC9E349BA24BD7FBD0"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Quality assurance</header><text>In developing and implementing the comprehensive program required by subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary shall develop and implement appropriate mechanisms to provide for the oversight and management of the program, including quality measures to assess the efficacy of the program in preventing suicide among members of the Armed Forces.</text> </subsection></section><section id="id798C876AACDA4DE09CBC8D201A63510B"><enum>103.</enum><header>Enhancement of training and education for physicians, mental health care providers, and related personnel on identification and treatment of behavioral health disorders</header> <subsection id="id925C552B3F72414F96B1B0B9ADBAFBFE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Physicians</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the continuing medical education provided physicians in the military medical treatment system includes education and training on the triage and referral of individuals with mental health conditions.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id7AD2F0A6DDD54FF88D406C81AB5C3126"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Mental health care providers</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall develop and implement continuing education program requirements for mental health care providers and behavioral health care providers in the military medical treatment system in order to ensure that such providers keep current on best clinical practices for the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral health disorders in members of the Armed Forces.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idB0EF80CA169D4CFBA5B5B18FD123673E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Counselors and related personnel</header> <paragraph id="idCE43F3BF63184BE78D12CF488C3B3267"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall develop and implement throughout the Armed Forces a program of training for the members of the Armed Forces and personnel of the Department of Defense described in paragraph (2) in order to familiarize such members and personnel with the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id5DA949BC66FB461DA5BB8DE4CEFBE294"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The signs and symptoms of behavioral health disorders that manifest frequently in members of the Armed Forces.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id14820F885A04448A87810AC48E0A9846"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The courses of action to be undertaken by such personnel who detect such signs and symptoms in members of the Armed Forces.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id119525855F7D46359989ECB0363F9254"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Covered members and personnel</header><text>The members of the Armed Forces and personnel of the Department of Defense described in this paragraph are the following:</text> <subparagraph id="idEA6560B0A886469788861EEADDD42DEC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Physician assistants in the military medical treatment system.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE5900AA2A3F74579A698DC2B258413E0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Medics.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id51BD714CBCF343559AB05D70E788290C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Military chaplains.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id081247C13DDF46E9AD60303C8225BE9F"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Such other members of the Armed Forces or civilian personnel of the Department of Defense as the Secretary shall designate for purposes of this subsection.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idFC906FF78E2B4B349CE55C0F8A9320D2"><enum>104.</enum><header>Limitation on disclosure of mental health conditions or treatment or requests for treatment of members of the Armed Forces</header> <subsection id="idC0D4E1807C674BC5AD98FC91B1C341F5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>A medical or mental health care provider in the military medical treatment system may not disclose a mental health condition of a member of the Armed Forces, treatment of a member for a mental health condition, or a request of a member for treatment of a mental health condition, except as provided in subsection (b).</text> </subsection><subsection id="idA32C165B267A465789C84114B7A8000D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><text>A medical or mental health care provider may make a disclosure described by subsection (a) if—</text> <paragraph id="idEDDBD4690F0C4303A26E3321E4E0E528"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the disclosure to another covered entity (as that term is defined for purposes of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) is necessary;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id98CE5B069E8D418992F9A89FAB0A4E39"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the member concerned requests the disclosure;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id3011CCD1FA4044AE80BEF2CF94A4C62B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the member concerned does not meet the minimum standards for deployment prescribed under section 1074f(f) of title 10, United States Code, at the time of the disclosure, regardless of the deployment status or plans of the member; or</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id8BF0F49B435F46A796D6C9CCE58A8644"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the disclosure is necessary in an emergency to protect the life or safety of the member concerned or others.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id2B5A101773CE457C866D0137A4995021"><enum>105.</enum><header>Sharing between Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs of records and information retained under the medical tracking system for members of the Armed Forces deployed overseas</header> <subsection id="id13D290F972054CA59F8F4EE151263F0E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly enter into a memorandum of understanding providing for the sharing by the Department of Defense with the Department of Veterans Affairs of the results of examinations and other records on members of the Armed Forces that are retained and maintained with respect to the medical tracking system for members deployed overseas under section 1074f(c) of title 10, United States Code.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idFEE1DDB4C00F499686ECF09FDAC9EB1C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Cessation upon implementation of electronic health record</header><text>The sharing required pursuant to subsection (a) shall cease on the date on which the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs jointly certify to Congress that the Secretaries have fully implemented an integrated electronic health record for members of the Armed Forces that is fully interoperable between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </subsection></section><section id="idBDFD7102BB6548AEB2013617991D5B86"><enum>106.</enum><header>Participation of members of the Armed Forces in peer support counseling programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs</header> <subsection id="id6CB7E736C7AC421B860C618A62184C54"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Participation</header> <paragraph id="id5FFA99C577054851901E2110F4FCA874"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly enter into a memorandum of understanding providing for members of the Armed Forces described in subsection (b) to volunteer or be considered for employment as peer counselors under the following:</text> <subparagraph id="idDA199A4524E541478774EBF660AE987E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The peer support counseling program carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under subsection (j) of section 1720F of title 38, United States Code, as part of the comprehensive program for suicide prevention among veterans under subsection (a) of such section.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id922B25AB675F43E7BC4D6F24E0A2C75A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The peer support counseling program carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 304(a)(1) of Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–163; 124 Stat. 1150; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id62EBC51BAA30460CB9EE72836BE22278"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Training</header><text>Any member participating in a peer support counseling program under paragraph (1) shall receive the training for peer counselors under section 1720F(j)(2) of title 38, United States Code, or section 304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, as applicable, before performing peer support counseling duties under such program.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id5A8B1652A58B454FB45FF3E59E9AC576"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered members</header><text>Members of the Armed Forces described in this subsection are the following:</text> <paragraph id="id9F83AF3FB309401A81D8C25E42C98C21"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who are demobilizing after deployment in a theater of combat operations, including, in particular, members who participated in combat against the enemy while so deployed.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id3E4CCC97FB1449B2ABC3B06203CB0FBE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Members of the regular components of the Armed Forces separating from active duty who have been deployed in a theater of combat operations in which such members participated in combat against the enemy.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idA3A2F706099147D4B59C225C14BE514E"><enum>107.</enum><header>Research and medical practice on mental health conditions</header> <subsection id="id41C1596209FA4443B2B3B6B7826C88BD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Department of Defense organization on research and practice</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Department of Defense an organization to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (b).</text> </subsection><subsection id="id317DADC9C1E34E3AAA3D3F13B757E126"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The organization established under subsection (a) shall—</text> <paragraph id="idBBDE298051BA4F5A80034747CCB61B46"><enum>(1)</enum><text>carry out programs and activities designed to provide for the translation of research on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions into policy on medical practices;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idC39CABAEA42C496F96A4F339165AF01A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>make recommendations to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs on the translation of such research into the policies of the Department of Defense on medical practices with respect to members of the Armed Forces; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idA677F83F085F4594A5E795F85653CF86"><enum>(3)</enum><text>discharge such other responsibilities relating to research and medical practices on mental health conditions, and the policies of the Department on such practices with respect to members of the Armed Forces, as the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary shall specify for purposes of this section.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD7A1308998B648B9B5A903E81DE7CE1B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Reports</header> <paragraph id="id9360FF0A877B4C73BD14010D38105BC3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Initial report</header><text>Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the organization required by subsection (a). The report shall include a description of the organization and a plan for implementing the requirements of this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idBC37FF65AFF94632A54BC6C6D15E7CE6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Annual reports</header><text>The Secretary shall submit to Congress each year a report on the activities of the organization established under subsection (a) during the preceding year. Each report shall include the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id07B20CEE7046421794FFAD24EE824A7D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A summary description of the activities of the organization during the preceding year.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id402F0630D51D43A588A41EEDE7F93D3A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A description of the recommendations made by the organization to the Assistant Secretary under subsection (b)(2) during the year, and a description of the actions undertaken (or to be undertaken) by the Assistant Secretary in response to such recommendations.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id47F44E46901C43EBBB77CDEF4BB51678"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Such other matters relating to the activities of the organization, including recommendations for additional legislative or administrative action, as the Secretary, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary, considers appropriate.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id816FC3B1C7584092AFC4168A6E859ED8"><enum>108.</enum><header>Quality review of Medical Evaluation Boards, Physical Evaluation Boards, and Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officers</header> <subsection id="id408DF651199E4E8DA4A96858A0129D84"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Defense shall standardize, assess, and monitor the quality assurance programs of the military departments to evaluate the following in the performance of their duties (including duties under chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code):</text> <paragraph id="idD3C0A107CC374E6C97ABB6D49C744A13"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Medical Evaluation Boards (MEBs).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id1BECC8DE9E00444CA63464D332ABED65"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Physical Evaluation Boards (PEBs).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id7B6BC73ED62744B496DA51E9A6966956"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officers (PEBLOs).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id563A4DDF3DB54F5BBFDB8614F8DD4171"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Objectives</header><text>The objectives of the quality assurance program shall be as follows:</text> <paragraph id="idBA78FFCCA5574C72806A4862E823EEB2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To ensure accuracy and consistency in the determinations and decisions of Medical Evaluation Boards and Physical Evaluation Boards.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id94669CB9F07047E38B6270AED7E62EE7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To otherwise monitor and sustain proper performance of the duties of Medical Evaluation Boards and Physical Evaluation Boards, and of Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officers.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id749E0F20FC574F70B8DE8717C4186BD0"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Such other objectives as the Secretary shall specify for purposes of the quality assurance program.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idDFC1564CFA554D328430FD92DE9F7524"><enum>109.</enum><header>Compliance of Department of Defense with requirement for use of Department of Veterans Affairs schedule for rating disabilities in determinations of disability of members of the Armed Forces</header> <subsection id="id519B94EB043A421183C9993358AADA10"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Report required</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report setting forth a comprehensive assessment whether the Secretaries of the military departments (and the policies, regulations, and directives of the military departments) are fully compliant with the requirement in section 1216a of title 10, United States Code, for the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs schedule for rating disabilities in making determinations of disability of members of the Armed Forces for purposes of chapter 61 of that title.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idB87558F1D3D34C3487D6DEFA6943E1F2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Additional element following determination of lack of full compliance</header><text>If the assessment of the Secretary in the report required by subsection (a) is that the Secretaries of the military departments are not fully compliant with the requirement described in that subsection, the report shall include a comprehensive description of the actions to be undertaken by the Secretaries of the military departments to achieve full compliance with the requirement, including a schedule for such actions.</text> </subsection></section><section id="id75945BFD05F04B19BDA8E4CF9F15A623"><enum>110.</enum><header>Disposal of controlled substances</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Defense establishing procedures under which a member of the Armed Forces may deliver a controlled substance to a member of the Armed Forces or an employee of the Department of Defense to be disposed of in accordance with section 302(g) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 822(g)).</text> </section><section id="idE02532A3BD9A46A3871995BF9E12228C"><enum>111.</enum><header>Assessment of adequacy of mental health care benefits under the TRICARE program</header> <subsection id="id5D5D695603E6490A90D92EAF3C7905BA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Independent assessment required</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, enter into a contract with an appropriate independent entity to assess whether the mental health care benefits available for members of the Armed Forces and other covered beneficiaries under the TRICARE program are adequate to meet the needs of such members and beneficiaries for mental health care.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id34EBB9734C914AF9AFCA8E41FCB88C43"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The contract required by subsection (a) shall require the entity conducting the assessment required by the contract to submit to the Secretary of Defense, and to the congressional defense committees, a report setting forth the results of the assessment by not later than 180 days after the date of entry into the contract. If the entity determines pursuant to the assessment that the mental health care benefits available for members of the Armed Forces and other covered beneficiaries under the TRICARE program are not adequate to meet the needs of such members and beneficiaries for mental health care, the report shall include such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the entity considers appropriate to remediate any identified inadequacy.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id3D424B58D95B435FA9B3E833C29BDBC1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text> <paragraph id="id46E1C978E1A440289FF9771DE1F907DB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The term <term>congressional defense committees</term> has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idB066F0B1A844487B9525E6CA89A05942"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The term <term>covered beneficiaries</term> has the meaning given that term in section 1072(5) of title 10, United States Code.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id82CAF282CC644BB9880673343F7A3E26"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The term <term>TRICARE program</term> has the meaning given that term in section 1072(7) of title 10, United States Code.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id51B95B7DF5C44EB4ADDF59800D304D19"><enum>112.</enum><header>Authority to exempt behavioral health care providers under the TRICARE program from State licensure requirements for provision of behavioral health care to members of the Armed Forces and dependents</header> <subsection id="id138ADCB73F0346ED8A6B5249D7A971F9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Defense may, subject to subsection (b), treat any licensed behavioral health care provider or category of licensed behavioral health care providers under the TRICARE program as a health-care professional or professionals exempt from laws regarding the licensure of health care professionals in accordance with section 1094(d) of title 10, United States Code, if the Secretary determines that such treatment is necessary for purposes as follows:</text> <paragraph id="id6DD02F5A8B33468C893F107D18872383"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To ensure continuity in the provision of behavioral health care to a member of the Armed Forces or the member's dependents following a permanent change of station or other relocation of the member and dependents to another State, including through the provision of such care by tele-health or other remote delivery mechanisms.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id260010B340424ECCB64530EFA6E59BA2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To ensure access to behavioral health care under the TRICARE program in areas otherwise unserved or underserved by behavioral health care providers under that program.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id230CAE4BBCE446EDA3B7FE498168D499"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>A behavioral health care provider may not be exempted under subsection (a) from laws described in that subsection unless the health care provider—</text> <paragraph id="id28C4775482BA42B5BCF0E6DAA15034F4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is licensed as a behavioral health care provider by a State; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idF5F6BE978DD64812A178555E5D3561E7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>is authorized under the TRICARE program to act as a behavioral health care provider throughout the TRICARE program.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7605DAB947AC4A07A523497C9D6CACCB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>TRICARE program defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>TRICARE program</term> has the meaning given that term in section 1072(7) of title 10, United States Code.</text> </subsection></section><section id="id9324F0222D804FD0A02D69E601691229"><enum>113.</enum><header>Report on adequacy of capacity of the military medical treatment system regarding inpatient behavioral health care</header> <subsection id="id7A4B74648A104B09940D78A4B085F083"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Report required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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 setting forth an assessment by the Secretary of the adequacy of the capacity of the military medical treatment system to meet the needs of members of the Armed Forces for inpatient behavioral health care, with a particular focus on facilities under that system that support members of the Armed Forces on deployment rotation.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id81EBDA32989E4058B788701965ADB194"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Congressional defense committees defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>congressional defense committees</term> has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code.</text> </subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Department of Veterans Affairs Matters</header> <section id="idc6bf188e334248dc88eb4beddea3797b"><enum>201.</enum><header>Transparency of mental health care services</header> <subsection id="id79493735C85547B195495CAB7A1C33C9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Measurement of mental health care services</header> <paragraph id="id07B3E280C0CF4B909741B82B1AB23B69"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than December 31, 2013, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop and implement a comprehensive set of measures to assess mental health care services furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id777d25f2d55f471c80f56eb4b7226e52"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The measures developed and implemented under paragraph (1) shall provide an accurate and comprehensive assessment of the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id18D7991ED2EA418CBA9D61025081FCB2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The timeliness of the furnishing of mental health care by the Department.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idEA54F3A1618E471C9131E34A644DCFCE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The satisfaction of patients who receive mental health care services furnished by the Department.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF5D6749369FD48A3B3F753309FA2D6F1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The capacity of the Department to furnish mental health care.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE0508B55CAEC47F991B9DE25D503994D"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The availability and furnishing of evidence-based therapies by the Department.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id0586DC4B90E3433E84E97A57EAFB5D03"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Guidelines for staffing mental health care services</header><text>Not later than December 31, 2013, the Secretary shall develop and implement guidelines for the staffing of general and specialty mental health care services, including at community-based outpatient clinics. Such guidelines shall include productivity standards for providers of mental health care.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id781B0F2C7A4543F69798103FEF45B81F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Study committee</header> <paragraph id="idd7658bc539004d62bf764016d0ea6f21"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences to create a study committee—</text> <subparagraph id="id4d514b03f3b344fc99e2abd1c37c095a"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to consult with the Secretary on the Secretary’s development and implementation of the measures and guidelines required by subsections (a) and (b); and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idaea28ae8192240cb9ee2a03fc092fc3f"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to conduct an assessment and provide an analysis and recommendations on the state of Department mental health services.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id4027bb37b8354dbca64f8d543129cae5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>In entering into the contract described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, with respect to paragraph (1)(B), include in such contract a provision for the study committee—</text> <subparagraph id="ide063b7582368403e840b1df8bc595843"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to conduct a comprehensive assessment of barriers to access to mental health care by veterans who served in the Armed Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id73847bd07f9a47498080dea953548460"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to assess the quality of the mental health care being provided to such veterans (including the extent to which veterans are afforded choices with respect to modes of treatment) through site visits to facilities of the Veterans Health Administration (including at least one site visit in each Veterans Integrated Service Network), evaluating studies of patient outcomes, and other appropriate means;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id526387aab2bb4ef3b5feb19ae6256099"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to assess whether, and the extent to which, veterans who served in the Armed Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn are being offered a full range of necessary mental health services at Department health care facilities, including early intervention services for hazardous drinking, relationship problems, and other behaviors that create a risk for the development of a chronic mental health condition;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id77465b6c0a3d42a3bac5515c8a5b94c5"><enum>(D)</enum><text>to conduct surveys or have access to Department-administered surveys of—</text> <clause id="id4B53459D5AEB41D98FA8EF835DFC6975"><enum>(i)</enum><text>providers of Department mental health services;</text> </clause><clause id="id723F88B4708345519C95B08174EA78F5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>veterans who served in the Armed Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn who are receiving mental health care furnished by the Department; and</text> </clause><clause id="id057B9901681248ADB60C7D2D58E65921"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>eligible veterans who served in the Armed Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn who are not using Department health care services to assess those barriers described in subparagraph (A); and</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8095df8f5a804546a532bf69f2a28fa6"><enum>(E)</enum><text>to provide to the Secretary, on the basis of its assessments as delineated in subparagraphs (A) through (C), specific, detailed recommendations—</text> <clause id="idf3a3becb00144effa5b39245fbdead64"><enum>(i)</enum><text>for overcoming barriers, and improving access, to timely, effective mental health care at Department health care facilities (or, where Department facilities cannot provide such care, through contract arrangements under existing law); and</text> </clause><clause id="id0cf69026562d42eca77eae72e37bbc87"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of mental health services furnished by the Secretary.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id6d2de876fdff4756bc2f9c8dd5314501"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Participation by former officials and employees of Veterans Health Administration</header><text>The Secretary shall ensure that any contract entered into under paragraph (1) provides for inclusion on any subcommittee which participates in conducting the assessments and formulating the recommendations provided for in paragraph (2) at least one former official of the Veterans Health Administration and at least two former employees of the Veterans Health Administration who were providers of mental health care.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idde810560712c4df095d9181b6663c272"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Periodic reports to Secretary</header><text>In entering into the contract described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, with respect to paragraph (1)(A), include in such contract a provision for the submittal to the Secretary of periodic reports and provision of other consultation to the Secretary by the study committee to assist the Secretary in carrying out subsections (a) and (b).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idc09023a1e4ec440987a1ccaa6d998719"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Reports to Congress</header><text>Not later than 30 days after receiving a report under paragraph (4), 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 on the plans of the Secretary to implement such recommendations submitted to the Secretary by the study committee as the Secretary considers appropriate. Such report shall include a description of each recommendation submitted to the Secretary that the Secretary does not plan to carry out and an explanation of why the Secretary does not plan to carry out such recommendation.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9ea9c715134c494eb7ab02498a78abff"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Publication</header> <paragraph id="idD3F698D43A684A54B98CCCE072C48D4E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall make available to the public on an Internet website of the Department the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id207B71FA062F4D32A4C02E64AD98122A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The measures and guidelines developed and implemented under this section.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9A353ABE4F1B476899398643D630E79E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An assessment of the performance of the Department using such measures and guidelines.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id984425B03685486285DA851E8D7DF7CE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Quarterly updates</header><text>The Secretary shall update the measures, guidelines, and assessment made available to the public under paragraph (1) not less frequently than quarterly.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idBBD8ED8EDC024779A5BD010516F71E92"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Semiannual reports</header> <paragraph id="idEC75DB3FE9EA45019AE287191E76ED91"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than June 30, 2013, and not less frequently than twice each year thereafter, 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 on the Secretary's progress in developing and implementing the measures and guidelines required by this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idDF207A4BD62F41B2B36F2F78CF248ABE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id440F22CF36A54254AA4FD806F879CE97"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A description of the development and implementation of the measures required by subsection (a) and the guidelines required by subsection (b).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idCBF10C51394F4279B3B825FF32040166"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A description of the progress made by the Secretary in developing and implementing such measures and guidelines.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id47DA5F663CE04386839AEB90BB297C18"><enum>(C)</enum><text>An assessment of the mental health care services furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs, using the measures developed and implemented under subsection (a).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB0A712A278004B42B30FC399CFED2289"><enum>(D)</enum><text>An assessment of the effectiveness of the guidelines developed and implemented under subsection (b).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE8B032BBF106465EB43B413F515F6518"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary may have to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the mental health care services furnished under laws administered by the Secretary.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idAA66A1FCE484454FA2F90376F20791F9"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Implementation report</header> <paragraph id="id02187164188143A4A69AB6AFE7F03005"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 30 days before the date on which the Secretary begins implementing the measures and guidelines required by this section, the Secretary shall submit to the committees described in subsection (e)(1) a report on the Secretary's planned implementation of such measures and guidelines.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id5374C5DFBADA43819A4283C0923B085B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:</text> <subparagraph id="idF5F562797E1042DDB935A436B8AFBC2B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A detailed description of the measures and guidelines that the Secretary plans to implement under this section.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8147B02D0CBF47FB856A8AF009430948"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A description of the rationale for each measure and guideline the Secretary plans to implement under this section.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id258FACF6488241BC8D77394726062C64"><enum>(C)</enum><text>A discussion of each measure and guideline that the Secretary considered under this section but chose not to implement.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id85769664077B4E2BB7FBE6AB752F091B"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The number of current vacancies in mental health care provider positions in the Department.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id29DADC47A69C40C29EAA091650D22E2B"><enum>(E)</enum><text>An assessment of how many additional positions are needed to meet current or expected demand for mental health services furnished by the Department.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idA61EF60CFB9D410B8957912CB13E2CB2"><enum>202.</enum><header>Expansion of Vet Center program to include furnishing counseling to certain members of the Armed Forces and their family members</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1712A of title 38, United States Code, is amended—</text> <paragraph id="id3946C06D58844E98BAE62CF60E673EEE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)—</text> <subparagraph id="idE4A3E3295E8042CDB173D2CAFE9422D5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (1)—</text> <clause id="id4A96F1C058414BB7AC4BEAE3EA45D481"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>Upon the request</quote> and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: “Upon the request of any individual referred to in subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall furnish counseling, including by furnishing counseling through a Vet Center, to the individual—</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0132C61124A74CD69E1DABECD7B147E0" style="OLC"> <clause id="idF36CB0BBEFD7450BA89AB7562D57CC5C" indent="up2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the case of an individual referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (C), to assist the individual in readjusting to civilian life; and</text> </clause><clause id="id52B75CEA2C00477EAD208354E8452CCD" indent="up2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the case of an individual referred to in clause (v) of such subparagraph who is a family member of a veteran or member described in such clause—</text> <subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA9099EC26FEE441181A49545CDE0094C"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of a member who is deployed in a theater of combat operations or an area at a time during which hostilities are occurring in that area, during such deployment to assist such individual in coping with such deployment; and</text> </subclause><subclause id="id76E5610ADE0444249B66F989BE003EDD"><enum>(II)</enum><text>in the case of a veteran or member who is readjusting to civilian life, to the degree that counseling furnished to such individual is found to aid in the readjustment of such veteran or member to civilian life.</text> </subclause></clause><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </clause><clause id="id29BAD0ECCDED4B73BA2DB4717ECB5245"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following new subparagraphs:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id612DDF47159649869934B4A257D2836A" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="id419489CA48F54550B4169A6541878AB3" indent="up2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Counseling furnished to an individual under subparagraph (A) may include a comprehensive individual assessment of the individual's psychological, social, and other characteristics to ascertain whether—</text> <clause id="id100673CBD0D24796B22C1B072D586BCC"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the case of an individual referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (C), such individual has difficulties associated with readjusting to civilian life; and</text> </clause><clause id="id9DF24A49BE564D64868B3BBFCD88A2B4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the case of an individual referred to in clause (v) of such subparagraph, such individual has difficulties associated with—</text> <subclause id="id03D35E190D0D4FCDA61A4A7CAC72B066"><enum>(I)</enum><text>coping with the deployment of a member described in subclause (I) of such clause; or</text> </subclause><subclause id="id02F199989A694D8FA0E59726895D831B"><enum>(II)</enum><text>readjustment to civilian life of a veteran or member described in subclause (II) of such clause.</text> </subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5ADC5E44CDA14B788F892EAA2B194B2C" indent="up2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Subparagraph (A) applies to the following individuals:</text> <clause id="id0b4b96a448bb4a9bbe5c2a61a2a4c27b"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Any individual who is a veteran or member of the Armed Forces, including a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces, who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations or an area at a time during which hostilities occurred in that area.</text> </clause><clause id="idf87ccaa5e3e841f9a377c3ac85e15509"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Any individual who is a veteran or member of the Armed Forces, including a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces, who provided direct emergency medical or mental health care, or mortuary services to the causalities of combat operations or hostilities, but who at the time was located outside the theater of combat operations or area of hostilities.</text> </clause><clause id="idcd86a1c1554f45319ffecd885850cd77"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Any individual who is a veteran or member of the Armed Forces, including a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces, who engaged in combat with an enemy of the United States or against an opposing military force in a theater of combat operations or an area at a time during which hostilities occurred in that area by remotely controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle, notwithstanding whether the physical location of such veteran or member during such combat was within such theater of combat operations or area.</text> </clause><clause id="id08CC57BBF4FC47BCACED19C082B8EB3A"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Any individual who received counseling under this section before the date of the enactment of the Mental Health Access to Continued Care and Enhancement of Support Services Act of 2012.</text> </clause><clause id="id2aa461b24a8c4c5693dc5f309164fc77"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Any individual who is a family member of any—</text> <subclause id="idA8C7B964EA02494495D670C0CBFF2D58"><enum>(I)</enum><text>member of the Armed Forces, including a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces, who is serving on active duty in a theater of combat operations or in an area at a time during which hostilities are occurring in that area; or</text> </subclause><subclause id="id31B1652331BD4A81B58E94FB476612B9"><enum>(II)</enum><text>veteran or member of the Armed Forces described in this subparagraph.</text> </subclause></clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id80DAC185D99D4C26946D9749E9B338D0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking paragraph (2);</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE26CBC427C5348E1AB50CC42DD7D12F9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idCB996641D164460AB20A7AD4125B8D64"><enum>(D)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), as redesignated by subparagraph (C)—</text> <clause id="id7F077268941745ECA936A944F607F34C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>a veteran described in paragraph (1)(B)(iii)</quote> and inserting <quote>an individual described in paragraph (1)(C)</quote>; and</text> </clause><clause id="id062A805F40994C0C848EF2C8847EFF74"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by striking <quote>the veteran a preliminary general mental health assessment</quote> and inserting <quote>the individual a comprehensive individual assessment as described in paragraph (1)(B)</quote>;</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id93EE7A554D8745798CB762E0910E05DC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (b)(1), by striking <quote>physician or psychologist</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>licensed or certified mental health care provider</quote>;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idECC97414140746A296CD2ABFB41BDA4A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in subsection (g)—</text> <subparagraph id="id2C9D4A5E6E9E487391C660DBEA128906"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC3D947A259A14407AA0FE699C6BE43FF" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="id21607CDB0CEA4C72AD1366FDB44023C6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The term <term>Vet Center</term> means a facility which is operated by the Department for the provision of services under this section and which is situated apart from Department general health care facilities.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE67426456D914A18BD23D6A67204465E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id226ED8FCA9074115A4590671F24E06B1" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="id48B2FD0D08864F41AEB70D59376836CE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The term <term>family member</term>, with respect to a veteran or member of the Armed Forces, means an individual who—</text> <subparagraph id="idAFA2881B87BA433083CBEA841DA6FBC9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is a member of the family of the veteran or member, including—</text> <clause id="id6531E26786E6454FB7988D0BB47EF6D3"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a parent;</text> </clause><clause id="id2996BB5CDDF648C7982A35582EB65F60"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a spouse;</text> </clause><clause id="id491F238C6F454BF7B35B1EBF95C92324"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>a child;</text> </clause><clause id="id2C306638F2FB4AC4B7757DE43B59FF31"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>a step-family member; and</text> </clause><clause id="id6F6E29E1E54E4D71BEE72A8DD336A3B4"><enum>(v)</enum><text>an extended family member; or</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idBE9EDAC2C5AE4A17B1A0ABAF9E513D14"><enum>(B)</enum><text>lives with the veteran or member but is not a member of the family of the veteran or member.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id30B79B79DE9E413195CB6024136A411C"><enum>(4)</enum><text>by redesignating subsection (g), as amended by paragraph (3), as subsection (h) and inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection (g):</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3649CFBC922F444B89F57AD6EEDE3F13" style="OLC"> <subsection id="id650789C9D6AD4498A4442457A35904AB"><enum>(g)</enum><text>In carrying out this section and in furtherance of the Secretary's responsibility to carry out outreach activities under chapter 63 of this title, the Secretary may provide for and facilitate the participation of personnel employed by the Secretary to provide services under this section in recreational programs that are—</text> <paragraph id="id29BB7A362FCA42F0B463946CFDBF2480"><enum>(1)</enum><text>designed to encourage the readjustment of veterans described in subsection (a)(1)(C); and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idEE16953FF7934E62BE79F25CE743BFB2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>operated by any organization named in or approved under section 5902 of this title.</text> </paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></section><section id="id9F88BBB0892D45EB8E761233B9B3A571"><enum>203.</enum><header>Authority for Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish mental health care through facilities other than Vet Centers to immediate family members of members of the Armed Forces deployed in connection with a contingency operation</header> <subsection id="id2D58EA2705C14CE5835B645BEA423C55"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authority</header><text>Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in addition to furnishing mental health care to family members of members of the Armed Forces through Vet Centers under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code, may furnish mental health care to immediate family members of members of the Armed Forces while such members are deployed in connection with a contingency operation (as defined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code) through Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, telemental health modalities, and such community, nonprofit, private, and other third parties as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idCE3FD431DB3342A7B9CE08E10EDC91E4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>No eligibility for travel reimbursement</header><text>A family member to whom the Secretary furnishes mental health care under subsection (a) shall not be eligible for payments or allowances under section 111 of title 38, United States Code, for such mental health care.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id11511D29CE7B4F23A79BCAF3753674C4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Vet Center defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>Vet Center</term> has the meaning given the term in section 1712A(g) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 2(3).</text> </subsection></section><section id="id733DDA51B4C34231A21943DA88459440"><enum>204.</enum><header>Organization of the Readjustment Counseling Service in Department of Veterans Affairs</header> <subsection id="idA6D45BC054874C508015A735C7E464AA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subchapter I of chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id85DFA454C90D497C9D6DE67F7F151043" style="USC"> <section id="id8DEB9C2B541F483985F955301704A724"><enum>7309.</enum><header>Readjustment Counseling Service</header> <subsection id="idf4aa1703bbd0449882c1d25fcb5bdfbd"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There is in the Veterans Health Administration a Readjustment Counseling Service. The Readjustment Counseling Service shall provide readjustment counseling and associated services to individuals in accordance with section 1712A of this title.</text> </subsection><subsection id="ida450e16ad285458893bffefd2c009aeb"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Chief Officer</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id5B3A3A5405C24020B1F41521A218DDB0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The head of the Readjustment Counseling Service shall be the Chief Officer of the Readjustment Counseling Service (in this section the <quote>Chief Officer</quote>), who shall report directly to the Under Secretary for Health.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id4add49a80aaa4c70a67e4be4d625e8d0" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Chief Officer shall be appointed by the Under Secretary for Health from among individuals who—</text> <subparagraph id="id4f03dfa8c54f459db262bbb5259bf703"><enum>(A)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idEE2D6AE8AA5642E2B3396D2A628CAE62"><enum>(i)</enum><text>are psychologists who hold a diploma as a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology from an authority approved by the American Psychological Association and who have successfully undergone an internship approved by that association;</text> </clause><clause id="id770da24e2fa246a993fbaf0533a2ec17" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>are holders of a master in social work degree; or</text> </clause><clause id="id3ba8677d4cc54ed6819d9928ef3f7d4b" indent="up1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>hold such other advanced degrees related to mental health as the Secretary considers appropriate;</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id525b6fbfde0147449d8c3551de0db03a"><enum>(B)</enum><text>have at least three years of experience providing direct counseling services or outreach services;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idBCB504EB34484052BF83CCE974391AC7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>have at least three years of experience administrating direct counseling services or outreach services;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3409891833714A65A909F463BA7AFFF7"><enum>(D)</enum><text>meet the quality standards and requirements of the Department; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9d929658a5534b9d950619a3869ad528"><enum>(E)</enum><text>are veterans who served in combat as members of the Armed Forces.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idd7ac65473f8a47d3ba2d04b65c62dcf5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Structure</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idA0B9945710D64650A76A8F6EAB7F7A55"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Readjustment Counseling Service is a distinct organizational element within Veterans Health Administration.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id0BDDD690E6E04FB5A4750B1CD1E594D2" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Service shall provide counseling and services as described in subsection (a).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id0D4DCD8266D54F85B740055743011818" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The Chief Officer shall have direct authority over all Readjustment Counseling Service staff and assets, including Vet Centers.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id54e699a912f64ee68de952035dc0caa9"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Source of funds</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idF1B51DCDD3F444E483F55DF7B49015D3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Amounts for the activities of the Readjustment Counseling Service, including the operations of its Vet Centers, shall be derived from amounts appropriated for the Veterans Health Administration for medical care.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idBBDC295ED71841D29EA0308586E3916B" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Amounts for activities of the Readjustment Counseling Service, including the operations of its Vet Centers, shall not be allocated through the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation system.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id0516B8C846114068B227271058F14219" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>In each budget request submitted for the Department of Veterans Affairs by the President to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, the budget request for the Readjustment Counseling Service shall be listed separately.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idec1710553ff24ef5926f41ea7fd94011"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Annual report</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idC04EFD2CFF364F7490FFB69CC5D738FC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Not later than March 15 of 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 on the activities of the Readjustment Counseling Service during the preceding calendar year.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idD90A951104C949BD99DC4B2C8297083A" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include, with respect to the period covered by the report, the following:</text> <subparagraph id="idbf0e89c76ff844f1b58c4ace7c0a8ca8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A summary of the activities of the Readjustment Counseling Service, including Vet Centers.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd08243e47d524c14873d5d41a00ce45e"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A description of the workload and additional treatment capacity of the Vet Centers, including, for each Vet Center, the ratio of the number of full-time equivalent employees at such Vet Center and the number of individuals who received services or assistance at such Vet Center.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf438ce34c7064b9b886516ae29c3b549"><enum>(C)</enum><text>A detailed analysis of demand for and unmet need for readjustment counseling services and the Secretary's plan for meeting such unmet need.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA08B0F3B566A427F8F860856033901EE"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Vet Center defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>Vet Center</term> has the meaning given the term in section 1712A(g) of this title.</text> </subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="id0FF7FE86A5854C1AA69300CB3B698B97"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>Section 7305 of such title is amended—</text> <paragraph id="idAF7C33D032FE469EB948FBFA0995CC3B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idFC11836E41704B8B892123B879E0DD07"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new paragraph (7):</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD4D26B58B63D44E9A7E9A59608914719" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="id3888C19AA1E3458994631FC0FC603B9F"><enum>(7)</enum><text>A Readjustment Counseling Service.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id19D7A68C4FBC4A338A043ACBAE01BEF7"><enum>205.</enum><header>Recruiting mental health providers for furnishing of mental health services on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs without compensation from the Department</header> <subsection id="id14605A53CDBA490EBF2FB370111506AE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a national program of outreach to societies, community organizations, or government entities in order to recruit mental health providers, who meet the quality standards and requirements of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to provide mental health services for the Department on a part-time, without-compensation basis, under section 7405 of title 38, United States Code.</text> </subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id71EDE861447048BFA1CD7AD98F42FA4E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Partnering with and developing community entities</header><text>In carrying out the program required by subsection (a), the Secretary may partner with a community entity or assist in the development of a community entity, including by entering into an agreement under section 8153 of title 38, United States Code, that provides strategic coordination of the societies, community organizations, and government entities described in subsection (a) in order to maximize the availability and efficient delivery of mental health services to veterans by such societies, community organizations, and government entities.</text> </subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id4A835A2BF87F406CA4143799F782CA0C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Military culture training</header><text>In carrying out the program required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide training to mental health providers to ensure that clinicians who provide mental health services as described in such subsection have sufficient understanding of military and service specific culture, combat experience, and other factors that are unique to the experience of veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operating Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn.</text> </subsection></section><section id="idA4B38EA8B58A460B958129B82A22CC86"><enum>206.</enum><header>Reimbursement of physicians and dentists for expenses relating to board certification or recertification</header> <subsection id="id329B84A2417B479A9B427CAB4C8C3E5E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 7411 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5B109BE3690A414FB81E25420B7C4FB4" style="USC"> <section id="idBEAB73CA2CD94541B901344BE344C192"><enum>7411.</enum><header>Full-time board-certified physicians and dentists: reimbursement of certification or recertification and continuing professional education expenses</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary shall reimburse any full-time board-certified physician or dentist appointed under section 7401(1) of this title for expenses incurred, up to $1,000 per year, for certification or recertification expenses, or continuing professional education. For physicians who are full-time psychiatrists, the Secretary may reimburse up to $4,000 per year.</text> </section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="id2DA9233631F14A019CE26FDC23A86247"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 74 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 7411 and inserting the following new item:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC0EDE9C5B1884D43A342F464DF94E98F" style="OLC"> <toc> <toc-entry bold="off" level="section">7411. Full-time board-certified physicians and dentists: reimbursement of certification or recertification and continuing professional education expenses.</toc-entry> </toc> <after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section><section id="idAEC2C0475B57496EA7303DD675D77D90"><enum>207.</enum><header>Peer support</header> <subsection id="idBE801BD7ABB04B1FBA465F7EB465FA63"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Peer support counseling program</header> <paragraph id="id1DFED52EB5EA49EAB8F966BF603B5C90"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Program required</header><text>Paragraph (1) of section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States Code, is amended in the matter before subparagraph (A) by striking <quote>may</quote> and inserting <quote>shall</quote>.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id053EB8E712924E52B1EA079ADE3330F2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Training</header><text>Paragraph (2) of such section is amended by inserting after <quote>peer counselors</quote> the following: <quote>, including training carried out under the national program of training required by section 304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (38 U.S.C. 1712A note; Public Law 111–163)</quote>.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id5E26B7D032A244EDB1F6CC7D0E806F84"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Availability of program at Department medical centers</header><text>Such section is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB79E61A6F04745348A980CBFF115CBB6" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="idC16006D20D754262AAD8A3091DF21302" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>In addition to other locations the Secretary considers appropriate, the Secretary shall carry out the peer support program under this subsection at each Department medical center.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph><paragraph id="id9347314D583148B6AA773039F9EBA402"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Deadline for commencement of program</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the peer support counseling program required by section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by this subsection, commences at each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id4DF82C93EBDF48A78E397295D16377CA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Provision of peer outreach and peer support services at Department Medical Centers under program on readjustment and mental health care services for veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom</header> <paragraph id="id4B10D4C33D7E4C518A743D3CDA2EFCAA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 304 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (38 U.S.C. 1712A note; Public Law 111–163) is amended—</text> <subparagraph id="id873E949B981944EFA5A600CB0031729A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0DD687729D1D439B9F21DDE8B383E0C2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection (e):</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id21D460E7C81E412CBDD80DC7DEBADE26" style="OLC"> <subsection id="id0B4E4EF543764F67B330FBF4414546CC"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Provision of peer outreach and peer support services at Department medical centers</header><text>The Secretary shall carry out the services required by subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1) at each Department medical center.</text> </subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD57737FE3CC248C0990D5587490DD0BC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Deadline</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall commence carrying out the services required by subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1) of such section at each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, as required by subsection (e) of such section (as added by paragraph (1)), not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>