Congressional notice of suicides and attempted suicides of veterans in Department of Veterans Affairs facilities

Section 1720F of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(l)

Congressional notice requirements

(1)In the case of the suicide or attempted suicide of any veteran that occurs in, or on the grounds of, a Department facility or the facility of a non-Department provider through which the Secretary furnishes care under section 1703 of this title, to the extent that the Secretary or any employee or senior leader of the Department is aware of the suicide or attempted suicide, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives and the Senators and member of Congress representing the district in which the facility is located and the Senators and member of Congress representing the district in which the veteran resides the following notices: (A)Not later than seven days after the date on which the suicide or attempted suicide occurs, notice of— (i)the suicide or attempted suicide; and (ii)the name of the facility and location where the suicide or attempted suicide occurred. (B)Subject to paragraph (2), not later than 60 days after such date, notice of the following information (if available) regarding the veteran who committed or attempted to commit suicide: (i)The enrollment status of the veteran with respect to the patient enrollment system of the Department under section 1705 of this title. (ii)The date and circumstances of the most recent encounter before the suicide or attempted suicide occurred between the veteran and any employee or facility of the Veterans Health Administration or any non-Department provider. (iii)Whether the veteran had other medical insurance or coverage (including under the TRICARE program (as defined in section 1072 of title 10), the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.), or the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.)). (iv)The Armed Force in which the veteran served. (v)The time period during which the veteran served in the Armed Forces. (vi)The age of the veteran. (vii)The marital status of the veteran. (viii)The employment status of the veteran. (ix)The housing status of the veteran. (x)The gender identity of the veteran. (xi)The sexual orientation of the veteran. (xii)The race and ethnicity of the veteran. (xiii)The disability rating of the veteran. (xiv)Confirmation that the Secretary has provided to the immediate family members of the veteran notice of any Department support or assistance for which such family members may be eligible. (2)In collecting and reporting information under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall take all steps the Secretary determines necessary to respect the privacy and dignity of the veteran and the family of the veteran. (3)Each notice submitted under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) shall include a copy of guidance developed by the Secretary for purposes of dissemination that is designed to— (A)deter the sensationalism of suicide; (B)provide information regarding warning signs that are often exhibited by veterans at risk of suicide; (C)provide notice of the resources the Department offers to veterans who may be at risk of suicide, including the Veterans Crisis Line and readjustment counseling provided through Vet Centers; and (D)provide information about best practices for lethal means safety and resources to secure lethal means available through the Department.