[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 77 (Thursday, June 15, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5952-S5956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. CLINTON:
  S. 3517. A bill to enhance the services available to members of the 
Armed Forces returning from deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
Operation Enduring Freedom to assist such members in transitioning to 
civilian life, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Armed 
Services.
  Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, I am pleased today to introduce the 
Heroes

[[Page S5953]]

at Home Act of 2006. This legislation would take several important 
steps toward assisting our brave men and women in uniform in 
transitioning back home to their families, workplaces, and communities 
after deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  Hundreds of thousands of troops have rotated through Iraq and 
Afghanistan as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, OIF, and Operation 
Enduring Freedom, OEF, including thousands of courageous men and women 
from New York. More military service members than ever are surviving 
these conflicts because of better body armor and helmets and improved 
battlefield medicine.
  But surviving these wars and transitioning home can be an uphill 
battle. Many OIF and OEF service members, including the unprecedented 
number of National Guard and Reserve members, face readjustment 
challenges after war, such as medical, mental health, relationship, and 
work problems. Family members also are affected by the transition as 
they struggle to reconnect with their war heroes, some who may be 
deployed two, three, if not more times.
  As I meet with returning service members and their families around 
the State of New York and the country, I hear about the real hardships 
they battle after deployment--just how difficult it can be to adjust 
back to life at home.
  Several articles and reports have highlighted these struggles. 
According to a March 2006 study, 19 percent of Iraq veterans and 11 
percent of Afghanistan veterans reported mental health problems. Among 
the OIF and OEF veterans seeking care at Department of Veterans 
Affairs, VA, hospitals, nearly a third have been diagnosed with mental 
disorders, with over 40 percent of those posttraumatic stress disorder, 
PTSD. Another report found that 10 to 30 percent of National Guard 
members come home from Iraq searching for work. Others return to 
civilian jobs dissatisfied with old tasks that pale in comparison to 
wartime responsibilities.
  In addition to these challenges, a large number of service members 
are coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan with life-threatening brain 
injuries from roadside blasts that can cause brain damage. It is 
estimated that traumatic brain injuries, TBI, affect more than 25 
percent of bomb blast survivors--a percentage thought to be higher than 
in any other past U.S. conflict, making TBI the ``signature'' injury of 
Iraq. The diffuse but debilitating symptoms of TBI can leave service 
members with cognitive and emotional problems, including the inability 
to adapt to civilian life. However, TBI frequently goes undiagnosed 
because returning troops may show no visible wounds or may not realize 
they suffered a concussion.
  Lessons from past wars have taught us that identifying and dealing 
with problems like PTSD and TBI right away is vital for overcoming 
them. Yet just last month, a GAO report found that only 22 percent of 
OIF and OEF service members who may have been at risk for developing 
PTSD based on post deployment screenings were referred on for further 
mental health evaluations. In another report from May 2005, the GAO 
identified that, despite DOD efforts, the needs of demobilizing Reserve 
and National Guard members for transition assistance were still unmet.
  We must do more today to reach out and help our newest generation of 
war heroes as they transition home after serving bravely in Iraq and 
Afghanistan. And we must do more to shore up their families, who have 
courageously maintained family life on the home front during their 
deployment. That is why I am introducing this legislation today. The 
Heroes at Home Act would help address returning service members' 
readjustment to work, PTSD, TBI, and other problems, as well as provide 
support to their family members.
  This bill would involve partnerships with employers and community 
organizations because--despite more services and resources offered at 
DOD facilities, VA hospitals, and Vet Centers--returning service 
members are often reluctant to go to traditional mental health clinics 
due to stigma and concerns about confidentiality and their military 
careers. Only 29 percent of the approximately 500,000 separated OIF and 
OEF veterans have sought VA health care services, including mental 
health services.
  This legislation would identify ways to better assist National Guard 
and Reserve members in returning to civilian jobs, who are often hurled 
from civilian life into combat with less preparation and are then 
expected to reenter the civilian workforce. It would develop an 
assistance center for employers, employee assistance programs, and 
other organizations to provide them with best practices and education 
for ensuring the success of Guard and Reserve members in resuming 
civilian work after deployment, a win for our businesses, our 
employers, and our troops.
  Under this legislation, demonstration grants would be awarded to 
organizations in community setting for providing mental health 
education and assistance to National Guard and Reserve members and 
their families. Since many of these troops return to local communities 
scattered across the country far away from military bases and VA 
hospitals, these pilot projects would help reach them and their loved 
ones in more convenient places like community colleges, public schools, 
community mental health clinics, and family support organizations.
  With more and more troops injured by improvised explosive devices, 
IEDs, and bombs in Iraq, we must do more to understand the effects of 
these blasts on those impacted by them. That is why this legislation 
also calls for a study on the long-term physical and mental health 
consequences and rehabilitation needs of traumatic brain injured 
service members of OIF and OEF. This study would examine ways to help 
prevent future generations of service members from sustaining such 
injuries while assessing what types of programs and services are 
available to treat those who have already been injured in the years 
ahead.
  To further assist the mushrooming number of traumatic brain injured 
service members and their families, this legislation would establish a 
TBI family caregiver training curricula. Health professionals at DOD 
and VA hospitals would use this training to teach family members how to 
care for traumatic brain injured service members after they leave the 
hospital. It is crucial that we give family members the tools they need 
to effectively assist their loved ones at home in their communities.
  Those who have proudly served our Nation in OIF and OEF have made 
extraordinary sacrifices in the battlefield in defense of democracy and 
freedom. Back home, these heroes deserve our best resources and support 
to make sure they once again are vibrant and welcomed members in our 
neighborhoods, our towns, and our cities, at our work sites, and in our 
families. None of our returning service members should suffer alone in 
silence. Nor should their families. We all must do our part. I look 
forward to working with all of my colleagues to ensure passage of this 
bill that champions the successful transition of our newly returning 
heroes to their families, workplaces and communities.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 3517

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Heroes at Home Act of 
     2006''.

     SEC. 2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF TASK FORCE ON MENTAL HEALTH ON 
                   TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN LIFE OF MEMBERS OF THE 
                   NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE RETURNING FROM 
                   DEPLOYMENT IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND 
                   OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

       (a) In General.--Section 723 of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109-163; 
     119 Stat. 3348) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g) as 
     subsections (e), (f), (g), and (h), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
     subsection (d):
       ``(d) Assessment and Recommendations on Transition to 
     Civilian Life of Members of National Guard and Reserve 
     Returning From Deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
     Enduring Freedom.--

[[Page S5954]]

       ``(1) In general.--In addition to the activities required 
     under subsection (c), the task force shall, not later than 12 
     months after the date of the enactment of the Heroes at Home 
     Act of 2006, submit to the Secretary a report containing an 
     assessment of, and recommendations for improving, assistance 
     to members of the National Guard and Reserve returning from 
     deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring 
     Freedom, and their families, in transitioning to civilian 
     employment upon their return from such deployment, 
     including--
       ``(A) members who were self-employed before deployment and 
     seek to return to such employment after deployment;
       ``(B) members who were students before deployment and seek 
     to return to school or commence employment after deployment;
       ``(C) members who have experienced multiple recent 
     deployments; and
       ``(D) members who have been wounded or injured during 
     deployment.
       ``(2) Working group.--In conducting the assessment and 
     making the recommendations required by paragraph (1), the 
     task force shall utilize the assistance of a working group 
     that consists of individuals selected by the task force from 
     among individuals as follows:
       ``(A) With the concurrence of the Administrator of the 
     Small Business Administration, personnel of the Small 
     Business Administration.
       ``(B) Representatives of employers who employ members of 
     the National Guard and Reserve described in paragraph (1) on 
     their return to civilian life as described in that paragraph.
       ``(C) Representatives of employee assistance organizations.
       ``(D) Representatives of associations of employers.
       ``(E) Representatives of organizations that assist wounded 
     or injured members of the National Guard and Reserves in 
     finding or sustaining employment.
       ``(F) Representatives of such other public or private 
     organizations and entities as the co-chairs of the task 
     force, in consultation with the members of the task force, 
     consider appropriate.
       ``(3) Report elements.--The report required by paragraph 
     (1) shall include recommendations on the following:
       ``(A) The provision of outreach and training to employers, 
     employment assistance organizations, and associations of 
     employers on the employment, readjustment, and mental health 
     needs of members of the National Guard and Reserve described 
     in paragraph (1) upon their return from deployment as 
     described in that paragraph.
       ``(B) The provision of outreach and training to employers, 
     employment assistance organizations, and associations of 
     employers on the needs of family members of such members.
       ``(C) The improvement of collaboration between the pubic 
     and private sectors in order to ensure the successful 
     transition of such members into civilian employment upon 
     their return from such deployment.
       ``(4) Other duties.--In the period between the submittal of 
     the report required by paragraph (1) and the termination of 
     the task force under subsection (h), the task force 
     (including the working group established under paragraph (2)) 
     shall serve as an advisor to the Assistance Center for 
     Employers and Employment Assistance Organizations established 
     under section 3 of the Heroes at Home Act of 2006.
       ``(5) Employment assistance organization defined.--In this 
     subsection, the term `employment assistance organization' 
     means an organization or entity, whether public or private, 
     that provides assistance to individuals in finding or 
     retaining employment, including organizations and entities 
     under military career support programs.''.
       (b) Report.--Subsection (f) of such section, as 
     redesignated by subsection (a)(1) of this section, is further 
     amended--
       (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Report'' and 
     inserting ``Reports'';
       (2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following 
     new paragraph (1):
       ``(1) In general.--The report submitted to the Secretary 
     under each of subsections (c) and (d) shall include--
       ``(A) a description of the activities of the task force 
     under such subsection;
       ``(B) the assessment and recommendations required by such 
     subsection; and
       ``(C) such other matters relating to the activities of the 
     task force under such subsection as the task force considers 
     appropriate.''; and
       (3) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``the report under paragraph (1)'' and 
     inserting ``a report under paragraph (1)''; and
       (B) by striking ``the report as'' and inserting ``such 
     report as''.
       (c) Plan Matters.--Subsection (g) of such section, as 
     redesignated by subsection (a)(1) of this section, is further 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``the report from the task force under 
     subsection (e)(1)'' and inserting ``a report from the task 
     force under subsection (f)(1)''; and
       (2) by inserting ``contained in such report'' after ``the 
     task force'' the second place it appears.
       (d) Termination.--Subsection (h) of such section, as 
     redesignated by subsection (a)(1) of this section, is further 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting ``with respect to the assessment and 
     recommendations required by subsection (d)'' after ``the task 
     force''; and
       (2) by striking ``subsection (e)(2)'' and inserting 
     ``subsection (f)(2)''.

     SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYMENT 
                   ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS.

       (a) Establishment of Center.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall establish 
     an office to assist employers, employment assistance 
     organizations, and associations of employers in facilitating 
     the successful transition to civilian employment of members 
     of the National Guard and Reserve returning from deployment 
     in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.
       (2) Designation.--The office established under this 
     subsection shall be known as the ``Assistance Center for 
     Employers and Employment Assistance Organizations'' (in this 
     section referred to as the ``Center'').
       (3) Head.--The Secretary shall designate an individual to 
     act as the head of the Center.
       (4) Integration.--In establishing the Center, the Secretary 
     shall ensure close communication between the Center and the 
     military departments, including the commands of the reserve 
     components of the Armed Forces.
       (b) Functions.--The Center shall have the following 
     functions:
       (1) To provide education and technical assistance to 
     employers, employment assistance organizations, and 
     associations of employers to assist them in facilitating the 
     successful transition to civilian employment of members of 
     the National Guard and Reserve described in subsection (a) on 
     their return from deployment as described in that subsection.
       (2) To provide education and technical assistance to 
     employers, employment assistance organizations, and 
     associations of employers to assist them in facilitating the 
     successful adjustment of family members of the National Guard 
     and Reserve to the deployment and return from deployment of 
     members of the National Guard and Reserve as described in 
     that subsection.
       (c) Resources To Be Provided.--
       (1) In general.--In carrying out the functions specified in 
     subsection (b), the Center shall provide employers, 
     employment assistance organizations, and associations of 
     employers resources, services, and assistance that include 
     the following:
       (A) Guidelines on best practices and effective strategies.
       (B) Education on the physical and mental health 
     difficulties that can and may be experienced by members of 
     the National Guard and Reserve described in subsection (a) on 
     their return from deployment as described in that subsection 
     in transitioning to civilian employment, including 
     difficulties arising from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 
     (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), including education 
     on--
       (i) the detection of warning signs of such difficulties;
       (ii) the medical, mental health, and employment services 
     available to such members, including materials on services 
     offered by the Department of Defense, the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs (including through the vet center program 
     under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code), the 
     Department of Labor, military support programs, and community 
     mental health clinics; and
       (iii) the mechanisms for referring such members for 
     services described in clause (ii) and for other medical and 
     mental health screening and care when appropriate.
       (C) Education on the range and types of potential physical 
     and mental health effects of deployment and post-deployment 
     adjustment on family members of members of the National Guard 
     and Reserve described in subsection (a), including education 
     on--
       (i) the detection of warning signs on such effects on 
     family members of members of the National Guard and Reserves;
       (ii) the medical, mental health, and employment services 
     available to such family members, including materials on such 
     services as described in subparagraph (B)(ii); and
       (iii) mechanisms for referring such family members for 
     services described in clause (ii) and for medical and mental 
     health screening and care when appropriate.
       (D) Education on mechanisms, strategies, and resources for 
     accommodating and employing wounded or injured members of the 
     National Guard and Reserves in work settings.
       (2) Provision of resources.--The Center shall make 
     resources, services, and assistance available under this 
     subsection through such mechanisms as the head of the Center 
     considers appropriate, including the Internet, video 
     conferencing, telephone services, workshops, trainings, 
     presentations, group forums, and other mechanisms.
       (d) Personnel and Other Resources.--The Secretary of 
     Defense shall assign to the Center such personnel, funding, 
     and other resources as are required to ensure the effective 
     discharge by the Center of the functions under subsection 
     (b).
       (e) Reports on Activities.--
       (1) Annual report by center.--Not later than one year after 
     the establishment of the Center, and annually thereafter, the 
     head of the Center, in consultation with the Department of 
     Defense Task Force on Mental Health (while in effect), shall 
     submit to the Secretary of Defense a written report on the 
     progress and outcomes of the Center during the one-year 
     period ending on the date of such report.
       (2) Transmittal to congress.--Not later than 60 days after 
     receipt of a report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
     transmit

[[Page S5955]]

     such report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate 
     and the House of Representatives, together with--
       (A) such comments on such report, and such assessment of 
     the effectiveness of the Center, as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate; and
       (B) such recommendations on means of improving the 
     effectiveness of the Center as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.
       (3) Availability to public.--The Secretary shall take 
     appropriate actions to make each report under paragraph (2) 
     available to the public, including through the Internet 
     website of the Center.
       (f) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Employment assistance organization.--The term 
     ``employment assistance organization'' means an organization 
     or entity, whether public or private, that provides 
     assistance to individuals in finding or retaining employment, 
     including organizations and entities under military career 
     support programs.
       (2) Department of defense task force on mental health.--The 
     term ``Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health'' 
     means the Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health 
     established under section 723 of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, as amended by section 
     2 of this Act.
       (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Department of Defense to carry out 
     this section amounts as follows:
       (1) For fiscal year 2007, $5,000,000.
       (2) For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011, such sums 
     as may be necessary.

     SEC. 4. GRANTS ON ASSISTANCE IN COMMUNITY-BASED SETTINGS FOR 
                   MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE AND 
                   THEIR FAMILIES AFTER DEPLOYMENT IN OPERATION 
                   IRAQI FREEDOM AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense may award grants 
     to eligible entities to carry out demonstration projects to 
     assess the feasibility and advisability of utilizing 
     community-based settings for the provision of assistance to 
     members of the National Guard and Reserve who serve in 
     Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, and 
     their families, after the return of such members from 
     deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring 
     Freedom, as the case may be, including--
       (1) services to improve the reuniting of such members of 
     the National Guard and Reserve and their families;
       (2) education to increase awareness of the physical and 
     mental health difficulties that members of the National Guard 
     and Reserve can and may experience on their return from such 
     deployment, including education on--
       (A) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and traumatic 
     brain injury (TBI); and
       (B) mechanisms for the referral of such members of the 
     National Guard and Reserve for medical and mental health 
     screening and care when necessary; and
       (3) education to increase awareness of the physical and 
     mental health difficulties that family members of such 
     members of the National Guard and Reserve can and may 
     experience on the return of such members from such 
     deployment, including education on--
       (A) depression, anxiety, and relationship problems; and
       (B) mechanisms for medical and mental health screening and 
     care when appropriate.
       (b) Eligible Entities.--An entity eligible for the award of 
     a grant under this section is any public or private non-
     profit organization, such as a community mental health 
     clinic, family support organization, military support 
     organization, law enforcement agency, community college, or 
     public school.
       (c) Application.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under 
     this section shall submit to the Secretary of Defense an 
     application therefor in such manner, and containing such 
     information, as the Secretary may require for purposes of 
     this section, including a description of how such entity will 
     work with the Department of Defense, the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, State health agencies, other appropriate 
     Federal, State, and local agencies, family support 
     organizations, and other community organization in 
     undertaking activities described in subsection (a).
       (d) Annual Reports by Grant Recipients.--An entity awarded 
     a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary of 
     Defense on an annual basis a report on the activities 
     undertaken by such entity during the preceding year utilizing 
     amounts under the grant. Each report shall include such 
     information as the Secretary shall specify for purposes of 
     this subsection.
       (e) Annual Reports to Congress.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the 
     Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on 
     activities undertaken under the grants awarded under this 
     section. The report shall include recommendations for 
     legislative, programmatic, or administrative action to 
     improve or enhance activities under the grants awarded under 
     this section.
       (2) Availability to public.--The Secretary shall take 
     appropriate actions to make each report under this subsection 
     available to the public.

     SEC. 5. LONGITUDINAL STUDY ON TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY INCURRED 
                   BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES IN OPERATION 
                   IRAQI FREEDOM AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

       (a) Study Required.--The Secretary of Defense shall, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, provide 
     for a longitudinal study on the effects of traumatic brain 
     injury incurred by members of the Armed Forces in Operation 
     Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. The duration of 
     the longitudinal study shall be 15 years.
       (b) Selection of Entity for Conduct of Study.--The 
     Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs, select an entity to conduct 
     the study required by subsection (a) from among private 
     organizations or entities qualified to conduct the study.
       (c) Elements.--The study required by subsection (a) shall 
     address the following:
       (1) The long-term effects of traumatic brain injury on the 
     overall readiness of the Armed Forces.
       (2) Mechanisms for improving body armor and helmets in 
     order to protect members of the Armed Forces from sustaining 
     traumatic brain injuries.
       (3) The long-term physical and mental health consequences 
     of traumatic brain injuries incurred by members of the Armed 
     Forces during service in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation 
     Enduring Freedom.
       (4) The health care, mental health care, and rehabilitation 
     needs of such members for such injuries after the completion 
     of inpatient treatment through the Department of Defense, the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, or both.
       (5) The type and availability of long-term care 
     rehabilitation programs and services within and outside the 
     Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     for such members for such injuries, including community-based 
     programs and services and in-home programs and services.
       (d) Reports.--
       (1) Periodic and final reports.--After the third, seventh, 
     eleventh, and fifteenth years of the study required by 
     subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, submit 
     to the appropriate elements of the Department of Defense and 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to Congress, a 
     comprehensive report on the results of the study during the 
     preceding years. Each report shall include the following:
       (A) Current information on the cumulative outcomes of the 
     study.
       (B) In the case of a report to elements of the Department 
     of Defense--
       (i) such recommendations as the Secretary of Defense 
     considers appropriate for programmatic and administrative 
     action to improve body armor and helmets to protect members 
     of the Armed Forces from sustaining traumatic brain injuries; 
     and
       (ii) such other recommendations as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate based on the outcomes of the study.
       (C) In the case of a report to elements of the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs--
       (i) such recommendations as the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs considers appropriate for programmatic and 
     administrative action to improve long-term care and 
     rehabilitative programs and services for members of the Armed 
     Forces with traumatic brain injury; and
       (ii) such other recommendations as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate based on the outcomes of the study.
       (D) In the case of a report to Congress--
       (i) such recommendations as the Secretary of Defense 
     considers appropriate for legislative action to improve body 
     armor and helmets to protect members of the Armed Forces from 
     sustaining traumatic brain injuries;
       (ii) such recommendations as the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs considers appropriate for legislative action to 
     improve long-term care and rehabilitative programs and 
     services for members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain 
     injury; and
       (iii) such other recommendations as the Secretary of 
     Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs jointly 
     consider appropriate based on the outcomes of the study.
       (2) Availability to public.--The Secretary of Defense and 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly take 
     appropriate actions to make each report under this subsection 
     available to the public.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Department of Defense to carry out 
     this section amounts as follows:
       (1) For fiscal year 2007, $5,000,000.
       (2) For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013, such sums 
     as may be necessary.

     SEC. 6. TRAINING CURRICULA FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS ON CARE AND 
                   ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS AND FORMER MEMBERS OF 
                   THE ARMED FORCES WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY 
                   INCURRED IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND 
                   OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

       (a) Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel.--
       (1) Establishment.--The Secretary of Defense shall, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
     establish within the Department of Defense a panel to develop 
     coordinated, uniform, and consistent training curricula to be 
     used in training family members in the provision of care and 
     assistance to members and former members of the Armed Forces 
     for traumatic brain injuries incurred during service in the 
     Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring 
     Freedom.
       (2) Designation of panel.--The panel established under 
     paragraph (1) shall be known as the ``Traumatic Brain Injury 
     Family Caregiver Panel''.

[[Page S5956]]

       (3) Members.--The Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver 
     Panel established under paragraph (1) shall consist of 15 
     members appointed by the Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, equally 
     represented from among--
       (A) physicians, nurses, rehabilitation therapists, and 
     other individuals with an expertise in caring for and 
     assisting individuals with traumatic brain injury, including 
     those who specialize in caring for and assisting individuals 
     with traumatic brain injury incurred in war;
       (B) representatives of family caregivers or family 
     caregiver associations;
       (C) Department of Defense and Department of Veterans 
     Affairs health and medical personnel with expertise in 
     traumatic brain injury, and Department of Defense personnel 
     and readiness representatives with expertise in traumatic 
     brain injury;
       (D) representatives of military service organizations who 
     specialize in matters relating to disabled veterans;
       (E) representatives of veterans service organizations who 
     specialize in matters relating to disabled veterans;
       (F) psychologists or other individuals with expertise in 
     the mental health treatment and care of individuals with 
     traumatic brain injury;
       (G) experts in the development of training curricula;
       (H) researchers and academicians who study traumatic brain 
     injury; and
       (I) any other individuals the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.
       (4) Meetings.--The Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver 
     Panel shall meet not less than monthly.
       (b) Development of Curricula.--
       (1) In general.--The Traumatic Brain Injury Family 
     Caregiver Panel shall develop training curricula to be 
     utilized during the provision of training to family members 
     of members and former members of the Armed Forces described 
     in subsection (a) on techniques, strategies, and skills for 
     care and assistance for such members and former members with 
     the traumatic brain injuries described in that subsection.
       (2) Scope of curricula.--The curricula shall--
       (A) be based on empirical research and validated 
     techniques; and
       (B) shall provide for training that permits recipients to 
     tailor caregiving to the unique circumstances of the member 
     or former member of the Armed Forces receiving care.
       (3) Particular requirements.--In developing the curricula, 
     the Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel shall--
       (A) specify appropriate training commensurate with the 
     severity of traumatic brain injury; and
       (B) identify appropriate care and assistance to be provided 
     for the degree of severity of traumatic brain injury for 
     caregivers of various levels of skill and capability.
       (4) Use of existing materials.--In developing the 
     curricula, the Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel 
     shall utilize and enhance any existing training curricular, 
     materials, and resources applicable to such curricula as the 
     Panel considers appropriate.
       (5) Consultation.--In developing the curricula, the 
     Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel shall consult 
     with the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee, as 
     appropriate.
       (6) Deadline for development.--The Traumatic Brain Injury 
     Family Caregiver Panel shall develop the curricula not later 
     than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (c) Dissemination of Curricula.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall, in 
     consultation with the Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver 
     Panel, develop mechanisms for the dissemination of the 
     curricula developed under subsection (b) to health care 
     professionals referred to in paragraph (2) who treat or 
     otherwise work with members and former members of the Armed 
     Forces with traumatic brain injury incurred in Operation 
     Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. In developing 
     such mechanisms, the Secretary may utilize and enhance 
     existing mechanisms, including the Military Severely Injured 
     Center.
       (2) Health care professionals.--The health care 
     professionals referred to in this paragraph are the 
     following:
       (A) Personnel at military medical treatment facilities.
       (B) Personnel at the polytrauma centers of the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs.
       (C) Personnel and care managers at the Military Severely 
     Injured Center.
       (D) Such other health care professionals of the Department 
     of Defense as the Secretary considers appropriate.
       (E) Such other health care professionals of the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs as the Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
     considers appropriate.
       (3) Scope.--The mechanisms developed under paragraph (1) 
     shall include the provision of refresher training in the 
     curricula developed under subsection (a) for the health care 
     professional referred to in paragraph (2) not less often than 
     once every six months.
       (4) Provision of training to family caregivers.--
       (A) In general.--Health care professionals referred to in 
     paragraph (2) who are trained in the curricula developed 
     under subsection (b) shall provide training to family members 
     of members and former members of the Armed Forces who incur 
     traumatic brain injuries during service in the Operation 
     Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom in the care and 
     assistance to be provided for such injuries.
       (B) Timing of training.--Training under this paragraph 
     shall, to the extent practicable, be provided to family 
     members while the member or former member concerned is 
     undergoing treatment at a facility of the Department of 
     Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs, as applicable, in 
     order to ensure that such family members receive practice on 
     the provision of such care and assistance under the guidance 
     of qualified health professionals.
       (C) Particularized training.--Training provided under this 
     paragraph to family members of a particular member or former 
     member shall be tailored to the particular care needs of such 
     member or former member and the particular caregiving needs 
     of such family members.
       (5) Quality assurance.--The Secretary shall develop 
     mechanisms to ensure quality in the provision of training 
     under this section to health care professionals referred to 
     in paragraph (2) and in the provision of such training under 
     paragraph (4) by such health care professionals.
       (6) Report.--Not later than one year after the development 
     of the curricula required by subsection (b), and annually 
     thereafter, the Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver 
     Training Panel shall submit to the Secretary of Defense and 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and to Congress, a report 
     on the following:
       (A) The actions undertaken under this subsection.
       (B) The results of the tracking of outcomes based on 
     training developed and provided under this section.
       (C) Recommendations for the improvement of training 
     developed and provided under this section.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Department of Defense to carry out 
     this section amounts as follows:
       (1) For fiscal year 2007, $5,000,000.
       (2) For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011, such sums 
     as may be necessary.
                                 ______