[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 83 (Wednesday, May 25, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S3217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 4213. Mr. TESTER (for himself, Mr. Heller, Mrs. Ernst, Mr. Rounds, 
and Mr. Leahy) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to 
the bill S. 2943, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for 
military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle A of title VII, add the following:

     SEC. 709. PILOT PROGRAM ON EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR 
                   READJUSTMENT COUNSELING FROM DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS TO INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE 
                   SELECTED RESERVE OF THE ARMED FORCES.

       (a) In General.--Beginning not later than one year after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall commence a three-year pilot program to 
     assess the feasibility and advisability of furnishing 
     counseling under section 1712A(a) of title 38, United States 
     Code, to any member of the Selected Reserve of the Armed 
     Forces who has a behavioral health condition or psychological 
     trauma.
       (b) Comprehensive Individual Assessment.--Counseling 
     furnished under the pilot program may include a comprehensive 
     individual assessment under section 1712A(a)(1)(B)(i) of such 
     title.
       (c) Confidentiality.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
     confidentiality of individuals furnished counseling under the 
     pilot program is protected to the same extent as the 
     confidentiality of individuals furnished counseling under 
     section 1712A(a) of such title.
       (d) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the completion of the pilot program, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     Defense, submit to Congress a report on the findings of the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs with respect to the pilot 
     program.
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) A description of the individuals who benefitted from 
     counseling under the pilot program.
       (B) A description of any impediments to the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs in furnishing counseling under the pilot 
     program.
       (C) A description of any impediments encountered by 
     individuals in receiving counseling under the pilot program.
       (D) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of 
     furnishing counseling under the pilot program to all members 
     of the Selected Reserve of the Armed Forces who have 
     behavioral health conditions or psychological trauma.
       (E) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative 
     action as the Secretary considers appropriate with respect to 
     the furnishing of counseling to such members.
       (e) Vet Center Defined.--In this section, the term ``Vet 
     Center'' means a center for readjustment counseling and 
     related mental health services for veterans under section 
     1712A of title 38, United States Code.
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