[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 107 (Thursday, June 23, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H5845-H5853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SUPPORT THE RESILIENCY OF OUR NATION'S GREAT VETERANS ACT OF 2022

  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 6411) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
make certain improvements in the mental health care provided by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6411

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Support 
     The Resiliency of Our Nation's Great Veterans Act of 2022'' 
     or the ``STRONG Veterans Act of 2022''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

          TITLE I--TRAINING TO SUPPORT VETERANS' MENTAL HEALTH

Sec. 101. Mental health and suicide prevention outreach to minority 
              veterans and American Indian and Alaska Native veterans.
Sec. 102. Expansion of Vet Center workforce.
Sec. 103. Expansion of mental health training for Department of 
              Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 104. Expansion of scholarships and loan repayment programs for 
              mental health providers.

                     TITLE II--VETERANS CRISIS LINE

Sec. 201. Veterans Crisis Line.

    Subtitle A--Veterans Crisis Line Training and Quality Management

Sec. 211. Staff training.
Sec. 212. Quality review and management.
Sec. 213. Guidance for high-risk callers.
Sec. 214. Oversight of training of social service assistants and 
              clarification of job responsibilities.

    Subtitle B--Pilot Programs and Research on Veterans Crisis Line

Sec. 221. Pilot programs.
Sec. 222. Authorization of appropriations for research on effectiveness 
              and opportunities for improvement of Veterans Crisis 
              Line.

              Subtitle C--Transition of Crisis Line Number

Sec. 231. Feedback on transition of crisis line number.

                    TITLE III--OUTREACH TO VETERANS

Sec. 301. Solid Start program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 302. Designation of Buddy Check Week by Secretary of Veterans 
              Affairs.
Sec. 303. Improvements to Veterans Justice Outreach Program.
Sec. 304. Department of Veterans Affairs Governors Challenge Program.

                 TITLE IV--MENTAL HEALTH CARE DELIVERY

Sec. 401. Expansion of peer specialist support program of Department of 
              Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 402. Expansion of Vet Center services.
Sec. 403. Eligibility for mental health services.
Sec. 404. Mental health consultations.

                           TITLE V--RESEARCH

Sec. 501. Veterans integration to academic leadership program of the 
              Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 502. Improvement of sleep disorder care furnished by Department of 
              Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 503. Study on inpatient mental health and substance use care from 
              Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 504. Study on treatment from Department of Veterans Affairs for 
              co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Sec. 505. Study on workload of suicide prevention teams of Department 
              of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 506. Expansion of suicide prevention and mental health research.
Sec. 507. Study on mental health and suicide prevention support for 
              military families.
Sec. 508. Research on brain health.
Sec. 509. Study on efficacy of clinical and at-home resources for post-
              traumatic stress disorder.

          TITLE I--TRAINING TO SUPPORT VETERANS' MENTAL HEALTH

     SEC. 101. MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION OUTREACH TO 
                   MINORITY VETERANS AND AMERICAN INDIAN AND 
                   ALASKA NATIVE VETERANS.

       (a) Staffing Requirement.--Beginning not later than 90 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall ensure that each medical center of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs has no fewer than one full-
     time employee whose responsibility is serving as a minority 
     veteran coordinator.
       (b) Training.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation 
     with the Indian Health Service and the Director of the Office 
     of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, shall ensure that all minority veteran 
     coordinators receive training in delivery of mental health 
     and suicide prevention services culturally appropriate for 
     American Indian and Alaska Native veterans, especially with 
     respect to the identified populations and tribes within the 
     coordinators' catchment areas.
       (c) Coordination With Suicide Prevention Coordinators.--Not 
     later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the 
     Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, shall ensure 
     that the suicide prevention coordinator and minority veteran 
     coordinator of each medical center of the Department have 
     developed and disseminated to the director of the medical 
     center a written plan for conducting mental health and 
     suicide prevention outreach to all tribes and urban Indian 
     health organizations within the catchment area of the medical 
     center. Each such plan shall include for each tribe covered 
     by the plan--
       (1) contact information for tribal leadership and the 
     tribal health facility or Indian Health Service facility 
     serving that tribe;
       (2) a schedule for and list of outreach plans (including 
     addressing any barriers to accessing Department mental health 
     care);
       (3) documentation of any conversation with tribal leaders 
     that may guide culturally appropriate delivery of mental 
     health care to American Indian or Alaska Native veterans;
       (4) documentation of any progress in incorporating 
     traditional healing practices into mental health and suicide 
     prevention protocols and options available for veterans who 
     are members of such tribe; and
       (5) documentation of any coordination among the Department, 
     the Indian Health Service, urban Indian health organizations, 
     and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
     Administration for the purpose of improving suicide 
     prevention efforts tailored to veterans who are members of 
     such tribe and the provision of culturally competent mental 
     health care to such veterans.
       (d) Report.--Not later than one year after the enactment of 
     this Act, 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 
     outreach efforts to minority veterans and American Indian and 
     Alaska Native veterans. Such report shall include each of the 
     following:
       (1) The number of minority veteran coordinators within the 
     Department.

[[Page H5846]]

       (2) The number and percentage of minority veteran 
     coordinators who are women.
       (3) The number and percentage of minority veteran 
     coordinators who are persons of color.
       (4) The number and percentage of Department medical centers 
     with minority veteran coordinators.
       (5) The number and percentage of Department mental health 
     providers who are enrolled members of a federally recognized 
     Indian tribe or self-identify as Native American.
       (6) The number and percentage of Department mental health 
     providers who speak a second language.
       (7) A review of the outreach plans developed and submitted 
     to all Department medical centers for outreach to American 
     Indian and Alaska Native veterans.
       (8) A review of mental health care provided annually by the 
     Department to American Indian and Alaska Native veterans for 
     the past three years, including number of appointments, and 
     an assessment of any barriers to providing this care.

     SEC. 102. EXPANSION OF VET CENTER WORKFORCE.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act and subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall hire 
     an additional 50 full-time equivalent employees for Vet 
     Centers to bolster the workforce of Vet Centers and to 
     provide expanded mental health care to veterans, members of 
     the Armed Forces, and their families through outreach, 
     community access points, outstations, and Vet Centers.
       (b) Vet Center Defined.--In this section, the term ``Vet 
     Center'' has the meaning given that term in section 1712A(h) 
     of title 38, United States Code.

     SEC. 103. EXPANSION OF MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING FOR DEPARTMENT 
                   OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than three years after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act and subject to the availability 
     of appropriations, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in 
     collaboration with the Office of Mental Health and Suicide 
     Prevention and the Office of Academic Affiliations, shall add 
     an additional 250 paid trainee slots in covered mental health 
     disciplines to the workforce of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs.
       (b) Covered Mental Health Disciplines Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``covered mental health disciplines'' means 
     psychiatry, psychology, advanced practice nursing (with a 
     focus on mental health or substance use disorder), social 
     work, licensed professional mental health counseling, and 
     marriage and family therapy.

     SEC. 104. EXPANSION OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND LOAN REPAYMENT 
                   PROGRAMS FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.

       (a) Expansion of Health Professional Scholarship Program.--
     Beginning in academic year 2022, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall include not fewer than an additional (as 
     compared to academic year 2021) 50 awards per academic year 
     under the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professional 
     Scholarship Program under subchapter II of chapter 76 of 
     title 38, United States Code, for applicants otherwise 
     eligible for such program who are pursuing degrees or 
     training in mental health disciplines, including advanced 
     practice nursing (with a focus on mental health or substance 
     use disorder), psychology, and social work.
       (b) Expansion of Education Debt Reduction Program.--
       (1) In general.--Beginning in fiscal year 2022, the 
     Secretary shall provide not fewer than an additional (as 
     compared to fiscal year 2021) 200 debt reduction awards per 
     year under the Department of Veterans Affairs Education Debt 
     Reduction Program under subchapter VII of chapter 76 of title 
     38, United States Code, to be used to recruit mental health 
     professionals to the Department of Veterans Affairs in 
     disciplines that include psychiatry, psychology, advanced 
     practice nursing (with a focus on mental health or substance 
     use disorder), and social work.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     $8,000,000 per year to carry out the additional awards under 
     paragraph (1).
       (c) Outreach.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a 
     public awareness campaign to encourage veterans and mental 
     health professionals to choose the Department for their 
     mental health career.
       (2) Elements.--The campaign required under paragraph (1)--
       (A) shall advertise the paid trainee, scholarship, and loan 
     repayment opportunities offered by the Department; and
       (B) may highlight the new graduate medical education 
     residencies available at the Department for medical students 
     entering residency.

                     TITLE II--VETERANS CRISIS LINE

     SEC. 201. VETERANS CRISIS LINE.

       In this title, the term ``Veterans Crisis Line'' means the 
     toll-free hotline for veterans established under section 
     1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code.

    Subtitle A--Veterans Crisis Line Training and Quality Management

     SEC. 211. STAFF TRAINING.

       (a) Review of Training for Veterans Crisis Line Call 
     Responders.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     enter into an agreement with an organization outside the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs to review the training for 
     Veterans Crisis Line call responders on assisting callers in 
     crisis.
       (2) Completion of review.--The review conducted under 
     paragraph (1) shall be completed not later than one year 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (3) Elements of review.--The review conducted under 
     paragraph (1) shall consist of a review of the training 
     provided by the Department on subjects including risk 
     assessment, lethal means assessment, substance use and 
     overdose risk assessment, safety planning, referrals to care, 
     supervisory consultation, and emergency dispatch.
       (4) Update of training.--If any deficiencies in the 
     training for Veterans Crisis Line call responders are found 
     pursuant to the review under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
     shall update such training and associated standards of 
     practice to correct those deficiencies not later than one 
     year after the completion of the review.
       (b) Retraining Guidelines for Veterans Crisis Line Call 
     Responders.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop 
     guidelines on retraining and quality management for when a 
     Veterans Crisis Line call responder has an adverse event or 
     when a quality review check by a supervisor of such a call 
     responder denotes that the call responder needs improvement.
       (2) Elements of guidelines.--The guidelines developed under 
     paragraph (1) shall specify the subjects and quantity of 
     retraining recommended and how supervisors should implement 
     increased use of silent monitoring or other performance 
     review mechanisms.

     SEC. 212. QUALITY REVIEW AND MANAGEMENT.

       (a) Monitoring of Calls on Veterans Crisis Line.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     require that not fewer than two calls per month for each 
     Veterans Crisis Line call responder be subject to supervisory 
     silent monitoring, which is used to monitor the quality of 
     conduct by such call responder during the call.
       (2) Benchmarks.--The Secretary shall establish benchmarks 
     for requirements and performance of Veterans Crisis Line call 
     responders on supervisory silent monitored calls.
       (3) Quarterly reports.--Not less frequently than quarterly, 
     the Secretary shall submit to the Office of Mental Health and 
     Suicide Prevention of the Department of Veterans Affairs a 
     report on occurrence and outcomes of supervisory silent 
     monitoring of calls on the Veterans Crisis Line.
       (b) Quality Management Processes for Veterans Crisis 
     Line.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the leadership for the Veterans Crisis 
     Line, in partnership with the Office of Mental Health and 
     Suicide Prevention of the Department and the National Center 
     for Patient Safety of the Department, shall establish quality 
     management processes and expectations for staff of the 
     Veterans Crisis Line, including with respect to reporting of 
     adverse events and close calls.
       (c) Annual Common Cause Analysis for Callers to Veterans 
     Crisis Line Who Die by Suicide.--
       (1) In general.--Not less frequently than annually, the 
     Secretary shall perform a common cause analysis for all 
     identified callers to the Veterans Crisis Line that died by 
     suicide during the one-year period preceding the conduct of 
     the analysis before the caller received contact with 
     emergency services and in which the Veterans Crisis Line was 
     the last point of contact.
       (2) Submittal of results.--The Secretary shall submit to 
     the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention of the 
     Department the results of each analysis conducted under 
     paragraph (1).
       (3) Application of themes or lessons.--The Secretary shall 
     apply any themes or lessons learned under an analysis under 
     paragraph (1) to updating training and standards of practice 
     for staff of the Veterans Crisis Line.

     SEC. 213. GUIDANCE FOR HIGH-RISK CALLERS.

       (a) Development of Enhanced Guidance and Procedures for 
     Response to Calls Related to Substance Use and Overdose 
     Risk.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in 
     consultation with national experts within the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs on substance use disorder and overdose, 
     shall--
       (1) develop enhanced guidance and procedures to respond to 
     calls to the Veterans Crisis Line related to substance use 
     and overdose risk;
       (2) update training materials for staff of the Veterans 
     Crisis Line in response to such enhanced guidance and 
     procedures; and
       (3) update criteria for monitoring compliance with such 
     enhanced guidance and procedures.
       (b) Review and Improvement of Standards for Emergency 
     Dispatch.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
       (A) review the current emergency dispatch standard 
     operating procedure of the Veterans Crisis Line to identify 
     any additions to such procedure to strengthen communication 
     regarding--

[[Page H5847]]

       (i) emergency dispatch for disconnected callers; and
       (ii) the role of social service assistants in requesting 
     emergency dispatch and recording such dispatches; and
       (B) update such procedure to include the additions 
     identified under subparagraph (A).
       (2) Training.--The Secretary shall ensure that all staff of 
     the Veterans Crisis Line are trained on all updates made 
     under paragraph (1)(B) to the emergency dispatch standard 
     operating procedure of the Veterans Crisis Line.

     SEC. 214. OVERSIGHT OF TRAINING OF SOCIAL SERVICE ASSISTANTS 
                   AND CLARIFICATION OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES.

       Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall--
       (1) establish oversight mechanisms to ensure that social 
     service assistants and supervisory social service assistants 
     working with the Veterans Crisis Line are appropriately 
     trained and implementing guidance of the Department regarding 
     the Veterans Crisis Line; and
       (2) refine standard operating procedures to delineate roles 
     and responsibilities for all levels of supervisory social 
     service assistants working with the Veterans Crisis Line.

    Subtitle B--Pilot Programs and Research on Veterans Crisis Line

     SEC. 221. PILOT PROGRAMS.

       (a) Extended Safety Planning Pilot Program for Veterans 
     Crisis Line.--
       (1) In general.--Commencing not later than 180 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to determine 
     whether a lengthier, templated safety plan used in clinical 
     settings could be applied in call centers for the Veterans 
     Crisis Line.
       (2) Briefing.--Not later than two years after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to 
     Congress a briefing on the findings of the Secretary under 
     the pilot program conducted under paragraph (1), which shall 
     include any recommendations of the Secretary with respect to 
     the continuation or discontinuation of the pilot program.
       (b) Crisis Line Facilitation Pilot Program.--
       (1) In general.--Commencing not later than one year after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
     carry out a pilot program on the use of crisis line 
     facilitation to increase use of the Veterans Crisis Line 
     among high-risk veterans.
       (2) Briefing.--Not later than two years after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to 
     Congress a briefing on the findings of the Secretary under 
     the pilot program under paragraph (1), including any 
     recommendations of the Secretary with respect to the 
     continuation or discontinuation of the pilot program.
       (3) Definitions.--In this section:
       (A) The term ``crisis line facilitation'', with respect to 
     a high-risk veteran, means the presentation by a therapist of 
     psychoeducational information about the Veterans Crisis Line 
     and a discussion of the perceived barriers and facilitators 
     to future use of the Veterans Crisis Line for the veteran, 
     which culminates in the veteran calling the Veterans Crisis 
     Line with the therapist to provide firsthand experiences that 
     may counter negative impressions of the Veterans Crisis Line.
       (B) The term ``high-risk veteran'' means a veteran 
     receiving inpatient mental health care following a suicidal 
     crisis.

     SEC. 222. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR RESEARCH ON 
                   EFFECTIVENESS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT 
                   OF VETERANS CRISIS LINE.

       There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs for fiscal years 2022 and 2023, a total of 
     $5,000,000 for the Mental Illness Research, Education, and 
     Clinical Centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
     conduct research on the effectiveness of the Veterans Crisis 
     Line and areas for improvement for the Veterans Crisis Line.

              Subtitle C--Transition of Crisis Line Number

     SEC. 231. FEEDBACK ON TRANSITION OF CRISIS LINE NUMBER.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     solicit feedback from veterans service organizations on how 
     to conduct outreach to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, 
     their family members, and other members of the military and 
     veterans community on the move to 988 as the new, national 
     three-digit suicide and mental health crisis hotline, which 
     is expected to be implemented by July 2022, to minimize 
     confusion and ensure veterans are aware of their options for 
     reaching the Veterans Crisis Line.
       (b) Nonapplication of FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee 
     Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to any feedback solicited 
     under subsection (a).
       (c) Veterans Service Organization Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``veterans service organization'' means an 
     organization recognized by the Secretary for the 
     representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, 
     United States Code.

                    TITLE III--OUTREACH TO VETERANS

     SEC. 301. SOLID START PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 63 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subchapter:

        ``SUBCHAPTER II--OTHER OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

     ``Sec. 6320. Solid Start program

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a program, 
     to be known as the `Solid Start program', under which the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(1) build the capacity of the Department to efficiently 
     and effectively respond to the queries and needs of veterans 
     who have recently separated from the Armed Forces; and
       ``(2) systemically integrate and coordinate efforts to 
     assist veterans, including efforts--
       ``(A) to proactively reach out to newly separated veterans 
     to inform them of their eligibility for programs of and 
     benefits provided by the Department; and
       ``(B) to connect veterans in crisis to resources that 
     address their immediate needs.
       ``(b) Activities of the Solid Start Program.--(1) The 
     Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, 
     shall carry out the Solid Start program of the Department 
     by--
       ``(A) collecting up-to-date contact information during 
     transition classes or separation counseling for all members 
     of the Armed Forces who are separating from the Armed Forces, 
     while explaining the existence and purpose of the Solid Start 
     program;
       ``(B) calling each veteran, regardless of separation type 
     or characterization of service, three times within the first 
     year after separation of the veteran from the Armed Forces;
       ``(C) providing information about the Solid Start program 
     on the website of the Department and in materials of the 
     Department, especially transition booklets and other 
     resources;
       ``(D) ensuring calls are truly tailored to the needs of 
     each veteran's unique situation by conducting quality 
     assurance tests;
       ``(E) prioritizing outreach to veterans who have accessed 
     mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed 
     Forces;
       ``(F) providing women veterans with information that is 
     tailored to their specific health care and benefit needs;
       ``(G) as feasible, providing information on access to State 
     and local resources, including Vet Centers and veterans 
     service organizations; and
       ``(H) gathering and analyzing data assessing the 
     effectiveness of the Solid Start program.
       ``(2) The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of 
     Defense, may carry out the Solid Start program by--
       ``(A) encouraging members of the Armed Forces who are 
     transitioning to civilian life to authorize alternate points 
     of contact who can be reached should the member be 
     unavailable during the first year following the separation of 
     the member from the Armed Forces;
       ``(B) following up missed phone calls with tailored 
     mailings to ensure the veteran still receives similar 
     information; and
       ``(C) striving to reach out to veterans who separated prior 
     to the initiation of the Solid Start program to provide 
     similar services to those veterans, as feasible.
       ``(3) In this subsection:
       ``(A) The term `Vet Center' has the meaning given that term 
     in section 1712A(h) of this title.
       ``(B) The term `veterans service organization' means an 
     organization recognized by the Secretary for the 
     representation of veterans under section 5902 of this 
     title.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Chapter 63 of such title, as 
     amended by subsection (a), is further amended--
       (1) by inserting before section 6301 the following:

              ``Subchapter I--Outreach Services Program'';

     and
       (2) in sections 6301, 6303, 6304, 6305, 6306, and 6307, by 
     striking ``this chapter'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``this subchapter''.
       (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 63 of such title is amended--
       (1) by inserting before the item relating to section 6301 
     the following new item:

              ``subchapter i--outreach services program'';

     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new items:

         ``subchapter ii--other outreach programs and activities

``6320. Solid Start program.''.

     SEC. 302. DESIGNATION OF BUDDY CHECK WEEK BY SECRETARY OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     designate one week each year to organize outreach events and 
     educate veterans on how to conduct peer wellness checks, 
     which shall be known as ``Buddy Check Week''.
       (b) Educational Opportunities.--
       (1) In general.--During Buddy Check Week, the Secretary, in 
     consultation with organizations that represent veterans, 
     nonprofits that serve veterans, mental health experts, 
     members of the Armed Forces, and such other entities and 
     individuals as the Secretary considers appropriate, shall 
     collaborate with organizations that represent veterans to 
     provide educational opportunities for veterans to learn how 
     to conduct peer wellness checks.
       (2) Training matters.--As part of the educational 
     opportunities provided under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
     shall provide the following:

[[Page H5848]]

       (A) A script for veterans to use to conduct peer wellness 
     checks that includes information on appropriate referrals to 
     resources veterans might need.
       (B) Online and in-person training, as appropriate, on how 
     to conduct a peer wellness check.
       (C) Opportunities for members of organizations that 
     represent veterans to learn how to train individuals to 
     conduct peer wellness checks.
       (D) Training for veterans participating in Buddy Check Week 
     on how to transfer a phone call directly to the Veterans 
     Crisis Line.
       (E) Resiliency training for veterans participating in Buddy 
     Check Week on handling a veteran in crisis.
       (3) Online materials.--All training materials provided 
     under the educational opportunities under paragraph (1) shall 
     be made publicly available on a website of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs.
       (c) Outreach.--The Secretary, in collaboration with 
     organizations that represent veterans, may conduct outreach 
     regarding educational opportunities under subsection (b) at--
       (1) public events where many veterans are expected to 
     congregate;
       (2) meetings of organizations that represent veterans;
       (3) facilities of the Department; and
       (4) such other locations as the Secretary, in collaboration 
     with organizations that represent veterans, considers 
     appropriate.
       (d) Veterans Crisis Line Plan.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that a plan 
     exists for handling the potential increase in the number of 
     calls into the Veterans Crisis Line that may occur during 
     Buddy Check Week.
       (2) Submittal of plan.--The head of the Veterans Crisis 
     Line shall submit to the Secretary a plan for how to handle 
     excess calls during Buddy Check Week, which may include the 
     following:
       (A) Additional hours for staff.
       (B) The use of a backup call center.
       (C) Any other plan to ensure that calls from veterans in 
     crisis are being answered in a timely manner by an individual 
     trained at the same level as a Veterans Crisis Line 
     responder.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) The term ``organization that represents veterans'' 
     means an organization recognized by the Secretary for the 
     representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, 
     United States Code.
       (2) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given that term in 
     section 101 of such title.
       (3) The term ``Veterans Crisis Line'' means the toll-free 
     hotline for veterans provided by the Secretary under section 
     1720F(h) of such title.

     SEC. 303. IMPROVEMENTS TO VETERANS JUSTICE OUTREACH PROGRAM.

       (a) Outreach Requirement.--The Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall conduct outreach regarding the Veterans Justice 
     Outreach Program to justice-involved veterans, military and 
     veterans service organizations, and relevant stakeholders in 
     the criminal justice community, including officials from 
     local law enforcement, court, and jail systems and others as 
     determined appropriate by the Secretary. Such outreach--
       (1) shall be designed--
       (A) to spread awareness and understanding of the Program;
       (B) to spread awareness and understanding of veteran 
     eligibility for the Program, including the eligibility of 
     veterans who were discharged from service in the Armed Forces 
     under conditions other than honorable; and
       (C) to improve the identification of justice-involved 
     veterans; and
       (2) may be conducted in person, virtually, or through other 
     means, including by the dissemination of informational 
     materials and contact information.
       (b) Strategic Plan.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall develop a strategic plan for the Veterans Justice 
     Outreach Program. In developing such plan, the Secretary 
     shall conduct--
       (1) an assessment of barriers to working with justice-
     involved veterans in rural, remote, and underserved areas, 
     including potential steps to address such barriers; and
       (2) a workforce gap analysis for the Program.
       (c) Increase in Number of VJO Specialists.--
       (1) Increase.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     increase the number of Veterans Justice Outreach specialists 
     responsible for supporting justice-involved veterans in 
     rural, remote, or underserved areas, including areas located 
     far from Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, as 
     determined by the Secretary, through--
       (A) the hiring of additional Veterans Justice Outreach 
     specialists;
       (B) the reallocation of existing Veterans Justice Outreach 
     specialists; or
       (C) such other means as may be determined appropriate by 
     the Secretary.
       (2) Determination.--The Secretary shall determine the 
     number of Veterans Justice Outreach specialists required, and 
     the locations of such specialists, under paragraph (1) by 
     taking into account--
       (A) such number and locations needed to achieve the mission 
     and strategic goals of the Veterans Justice Outreach Program;
       (B) any gaps in the workforce of the Program, including 
     such gaps identified pursuant to subsection (b)(2); and
       (C) strategies to address such gaps.
       (3) Use of technology.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary shall consider the use of virtual technology.
       (d) Performance Goals and Implementation Plans.--
       (1) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     establish performance goals and implementation plans for--
       (A) the Veterans Justice Outreach Program;
       (B) Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists; and
       (C) providing support for research regarding justice-
     involved veterans.
       (2) Consistency with strategic plan.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that the performance goals and implementation plans 
     under paragraph (1) are consistent with the strategic plan 
     under subsection (b) and include--
       (A) qualitative and quantitative milestones, measures, and 
     metrics, and associated timelines for completion of the plans 
     under paragraph (1) and barriers to such completion;
       (B) an identification of relevant staff; and
       (C) an estimate of resource needs and sources.
       (3) Performance data.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     process to regularly collect and analyze performance data to 
     assess the efficiency and effectiveness of implementing the 
     plans under paragraph (1).
       (e) Training Requirement.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
     all Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists receive training 
     not less frequently than annually on--
       (1) best practices for identifying and conducting outreach 
     to justice-involved veterans and relevant stakeholders in the 
     criminal justice community; and
       (2) veteran eligibility for the Veterans Justice Outreach 
     Program, including with respect to consistently communicating 
     changes regarding eligibility (including through the use of a 
     script or other reference materials).
       (f) Reports on Implementation.--
       (1) First report.--Not later than one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
     Congress a report on the following:
       (A) An assessment of implementing subsection (c), 
     including--
       (i) strategies to increase Veterans Justice Outreach 
     specialists responsible for supporting justice-involved 
     veterans in rural, remote, or underserved areas; and
       (ii) the progress of the Secretary in addressing gaps in 
     the workforce of the Veterans Justice Outreach Program 
     identified pursuant to paragraph (2) of such subsection.
       (B) The performance goals and implementation plans 
     established under subsection (d)(1).
       (2) Subsequent report.--Not later than three years after 
     the date on which the first report is submitted under 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
     report on the progress of the Secretary in meeting the 
     performance goals and carrying out activities under the 
     implementation plans established under subsection (d)(1).
       (g) Report on Veterans Treatment Courts.--Not later than 
     one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall 
     submit to Congress a report on the engagement of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs with veterans treatment 
     courts, including--
       (1) the availability and efficacy of veterans treatment 
     courts in meeting the needs of justice-involved veterans;
       (2) best practices for Department of Veterans Affairs staff 
     and justice-involved veterans in working with veterans 
     treatment courts; and
       (3) the ability of justice-involved veterans to access 
     veterans treatment courts, including any barriers that exist 
     to increasing such access.
       (h) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) The term ``justice-involved veteran'' means a veteran 
     with active, ongoing, or recent contact with some component 
     of a local criminal justice system.
       (2) The term ``Veterans Justice Outreach Program'' means 
     the program through which the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     identifies justice-involved veterans and provides such 
     veterans with access to Department services.
       (3) The term ``Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist'' means 
     an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs who serves 
     as a liaison between the Department and the local criminal 
     justice system on behalf of a justice-involved veteran.
       (4) The term ``veterans treatment court'' means a State or 
     local court that is participating in the veterans treatment 
     court program (as defined in section 2991(i)(1) of the 
     Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
     3797aa(i)(1))).

     SEC. 304. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS GOVERNORS CHALLENGE 
                   PROGRAM.

       The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into agreements 
     with States, territories, and American Indian and Alaska 
     Native tribes for the development and implementation of 
     veteran suicide prevention proposals through the Governors 
     Challenge Program.

                 TITLE IV--MENTAL HEALTH CARE DELIVERY

     SEC. 401. EXPANSION OF PEER SPECIALIST SUPPORT PROGRAM OF 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Expansion.--Section 506 of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 
     (Public Law 115-182; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--

[[Page H5849]]

       (1) by redesignating subsections (d) through (f) as 
     subsections (e) through (g);
       (2) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following 
     new sentence: ``Each such peer specialist shall be a full-
     time employee whose primary function is to serve as a peer 
     specialist and shall be in addition to all other employees of 
     such medical center.'';
       (3) in the heading of subsection (b), by striking 
     ``Timeframe'' and inserting ``Initial Timeframe'';
       (4) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in the heading, by striking ``Selection'' and inserting 
     ``Initial Selection''; and
       (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``The Secretary shall'' 
     and inserting ``In establishing the program at initial 
     locations, the Secretary shall'';
       (5) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(d) Timeframe for Expansion of Program; Selection of 
     Additional Locations.--
       ``(1) Timeframe for expansion.--The Secretary shall make 
     permanent and expand the program to additional medical 
     centers of the Department as follows:
       ``(A) As of the date of the enactment of the STRONG 
     Veterans Act of 2021, the Secretary shall make such program 
     permanent at each medical center participating in the program 
     on the day before such date of enactment.
       ``(B) During the seven-year period following such date of 
     enactment, the Secretary shall expand the program to an 
     additional 25 medical centers per year until the program is 
     carried out at each medical center of the Department.
       ``(2) Selection of additional locations.--In selecting 
     medical centers for the expansion of the program under 
     paragraph (1)(B), until such time as each medical center of 
     the Department is participating in the program by 
     establishing not fewer than two peer specialists at the 
     medical center, the Secretary shall prioritize medical 
     centers in the following areas:
       ``(A) Rural areas and other areas that are underserved by 
     the Department.
       ``(B) Areas that are not in close proximity to an active 
     duty military installation.
       ``(C) Areas representing different geographic locations, 
     such as census tracts established by the Bureau of the 
     Census.'';
       (6) in subsection (e), as redesignated by paragraph (1)--
       (A) in the heading, by striking ``Gender-specific 
     Services'' and inserting ``Considerations for Hiring Peer 
     Specialists'';
       (B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``location selected under subsection (c)'' and inserting 
     ``medical center'';
       (C) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end; and
       (D) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following 
     new paragraphs:
       ``(2) female peer specialists are hired and made available 
     to support female veterans who are treated at each medical 
     center; and
       ``(3) to the extent practical, peer specialists are hired 
     in demographic percentages that reflect the racial and ethnic 
     demographic percentages of the overall veterans 
     population.''; and
       (7) by amending subsection (g), as redesignated by 
     paragraph (1), to read as follows:
       ``(g) Reports.--
       ``(1) Periodic reports.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date 
     of the enactment of the STRONG Veterans Act of 2021, and 
     annually thereafter for five years, the Secretary shall 
     submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate a report on the program, 
     including the expansion of the program under subsection 
     (d)(1).
       ``(B) Elements.--Each report under subparagraph (A) shall 
     include, with respect to the one-year period preceding the 
     submission of the report, the following:
       ``(i) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with 
     respect to the program.
       ``(ii) An assessment of the benefits of the program to 
     veterans and family members of veterans.
       ``(iii) An assessment of the effectiveness of peer 
     specialists in engaging under subsection (f) with health care 
     providers in the community and veterans served by such 
     providers.
       ``(iv) The name and location of each medical center where 
     new peer specialists were hired.
       ``(v) The number of new peer specialists hired at each 
     medical center pursuant to this section and the total number 
     of peer specialists within the Department hired pursuant to 
     this section.
       ``(vi) An assessment of any barriers confronting the 
     recruitment, training, or retention of peer specialists.
       ``(2) Final report.--Not later than one year after the 
     Secretary determines that the program is being carried out at 
     each medical center of the Department, the Secretary shall 
     submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate a report notifying such 
     committees of such determination.''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
     implement section 506 of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (Public 
     Law 115-182; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note), as amended by subsection 
     (a), the following amounts:
       (1) $3,600,000 for fiscal year 2022.
       (2) $7,200,000 for fiscal year 2023.
       (3) $10,800,000 for fiscal year 2024.
       (4) $14,400,000 for fiscal year 2025.
       (5) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.
       (6) $21,600,000 for fiscal year 2027.
       (7) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.

     SEC. 402. EXPANSION OF VET CENTER SERVICES.

       (a) Veterans and Members Using Educational Assistance 
     Benefits.--Section 1712A of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``clauses (i) through (vi)'' both places it 
     appears and inserting ``clauses (i) through (vii)'';
       (2) by striking ``in clause (vii)'' both places it appears 
     and inserting ``in clause (viii)'';
       (3) in subsection (a)(1)(C)--
       (A) by redesignating clause (vii) as clause (viii); and
       (B) by inserting after clause (vi) the following new 
     clause:
       ``(vii) Any veteran or member of the Armed Forces pursuing 
     a course of education using covered educational assistance 
     benefits.''; and
       (4) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(6) The term `covered educational assistance benefits' 
     means educational assistance benefits provided pursuant to--
       ``(A) chapter 30, 31, 32, or 33 of this title;
       ``(B) chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10;
       ``(C) section 116 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans 
     Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-48; 38 
     U.S.C. 3001 note); or
       ``(D) section 8006 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 
     (Public Law 117-2; 38 U.S.C. 3001 note prec.).''.
       (b) GAO Report.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' 
     Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a 
     report assessing--
       (1) the mental health needs of veterans pursuing a course 
     of education using covered educational assistance benefits 
     (as defined in section 1712A(h)(6) of title 38, United States 
     Code, as added by subsection (a)); and
       (2) the efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
     address such mental health needs.

     SEC. 403. ELIGIBILITY FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

       (a) In General.--Section 1712A(a)(1) of title 38, United 
     States Code, as amended by section 402, is further amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A)(ii)--
       (A) in subclause (I), by striking ``and'';
       (B) in subclause (II), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(III) in the case of a veteran or member who died by 
     suicide, to the degree that counseling furnished to such 
     individual is found to aid in coping with the effects of such 
     suicide.'';
       (2) in subparagraph (B)(i)(II)--
       (A) in item (aa), by striking ``or'';
       (B) in item (bb), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; or''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following;
       ``(cc) coping with the effects of a suicide described in 
     subclause (III) of such clause.''; and
       (3) in subparagraph (C)(vii)--
       (A) in subclause (I), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (B) in subclause (II), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; or''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(III) veteran or member of the Armed Forces who died by 
     suicide.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to family members of a member or 
     veteran who died by suicide before, on, or after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 404. MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATIONS.

       (a) Mental Health Consultations for Veterans Filing for 
     Compensation.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter VI of chapter 11 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1167. Mental health consultations

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
     which a veteran submits to the Secretary a claim for 
     compensation under this chapter for a service-connected 
     disability relating to a mental health diagnosis, the 
     Secretary shall offer the veteran a mental health 
     consultation to assess the mental health needs of, and care 
     options for, the veteran.
       ``(b) Availability.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(1) offer a veteran a consultation under subsection (a) 
     without regard to any previous denial or approval of a claim 
     of that veteran for a service-connected disability relating 
     to a mental health diagnosis; and
       ``(2) ensure that a veteran offered a mental health 
     consultation under subsection (a) may elect to receive such 
     consultation during the one-year period beginning on the date 
     on which the consultation is offered or during such longer 
     period beginning on such date as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.
       ``(c) Rule of Construction.--A consultation provided to a 
     veteran under this section shall not be construed as a 
     determination that any disability of such veteran is service-
     connected for the purposes of any benefit under the laws 
     administered by the Secretary.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 11 of such title is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new item:

``1167. Mental health consultations.''.
       (b) Mental Health Consultations for Veterans Entering 
     Homeless Programs Office Programs.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter VII of chapter 20 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended

[[Page H5850]]

     by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``Sec. 2068. Mental health consultations

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than two weeks after the date 
     on which a veteran described in subsection (b) enters into a 
     program administered by the Homeless Programs Office of the 
     Department, the Secretary shall offer the veteran a mental 
     health consultation to assess the health needs of, and care 
     options for, the veteran.
       ``(b) Veteran Described.--A veteran described in this 
     subsection is a veteran to whom a mental health consultation 
     is not offered or provided through the case management 
     services of the program of the Homeless Programs Office into 
     which the veteran enters.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 20 of such title is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new item:

``2068. Mental health consultations.''.

                           TITLE V--RESEARCH

     SEC. 501. VETERANS INTEGRATION TO ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP PROGRAM 
                   OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the 
     Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs. The report shall include the 
     following:
       (1) The number of medical centers of the Department, 
     institutions of higher learning, non-college degree programs, 
     and student veterans supported by the program, and relevant 
     trends since the program began.
       (2) The staff and resources allocated to the program, and 
     relevant trends since the program began.
       (3) An assessment of the outcomes and effectiveness of the 
     program in--
       (A) supporting student veterans;
       (B) connecting student veterans to needed services of the 
     Department or services provided by non-Department entities;
       (C) addressing the mental health needs of student veterans;
       (D) lowering the suicide risk of student veterans; and
       (E) helping student veterans achieve educational goals.
       (4) An assessment of barriers to expanding the program and 
     how the Secretary intends to address such barriers.
       (5) An assessment of whether the program should be expanded 
     outside of the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention 
     to support students veterans with needs unrelated to mental 
     health or suicide.
       (b) Uniform Best Practices, Goals, and Measures.--The 
     Secretary shall establish best practices, goals, and measures 
     for the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program 
     of the Department that are uniform among the medical centers 
     of the Department.
       (c) Outreach.--The Secretary shall conduct outreach among 
     the Armed Forces, veterans service organizations, 
     institutions of higher learning, and non-college degree 
     programs with respect to the Veterans Integration to Academic 
     Leadership program of the Department.
       (d) Assessment.--The Secretary shall assess the feasibility 
     and advisability of including the suicide rate for student 
     veterans in the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual 
     Report of the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention 
     of the Department.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) The term ``institution of higher learning'' has the 
     meaning given that term in section 3452 of title 38, United 
     States Code.
       (2) The term ``student veteran'' means the following:
       (A) A veteran or member of the Armed Forces using 
     educational assistance under any of the following provisions 
     of law:
       (i) Chapter 30, 31, 32, or 33 of title 38, United States 
     Code, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, United States 
     Code.
       (ii) Section 116 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans 
     Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-48; 38 
     U.S.C. 3001 note).
       (iii) Section 8006 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 
     (Public Law 117-2; 38 U.S.C. 3001 note prec.).
       (B) A veteran who is enrolled in an institution of higher 
     learning or other training program, without regard to whether 
     the veteran is using educational assistance specified in 
     subparagraph (A).

     SEC. 502. IMPROVEMENT OF SLEEP DISORDER CARE FURNISHED BY 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Pursuant to the analysis conducted under 
     subsection (b), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take 
     such action as the Secretary considers appropriate to improve 
     the assessment and treatment of veterans with sleep 
     disorders, including by conducting in-home sleep studies for 
     veterans.
       (b) Analysis.--The Secretary shall conduct an analysis of 
     the ability of the Department of Veterans Affairs to treat 
     sleep disorders among veterans, including--
       (1) assessment and treatment options for such disorders;
       (2) barriers to care for such disorders, such as wait time, 
     travel time, and lack of staffing;
       (3) the efficacy of the clinical practice guidelines of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense 
     for such disorders; and
       (4) the availability of and efficacy of the use by the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs of cognitive behavioral 
     therapy for insomnia.
       (c) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, 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--
       (1) the findings from the analysis conducted under 
     subsection (b); and
       (2) any actions taken under subsection (a) to improve the 
     assessment and treatment of veterans with sleep disorders.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations for In-Home Sleep 
     Studies.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs $5,000,000 to be used to 
     conduct in-home sleep studies for veterans, as part of sleep 
     disorder assessment and treatment conducted by the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs.

     SEC. 503. STUDY ON INPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE 
                   CARE FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall complete the conduct of a study on access of veterans 
     to care under the residential rehabilitation treatment 
     programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs to determine--
       (1) if there are sufficient geographic offerings of 
     inpatient mental health care, especially for veterans in 
     rural and remote communities;
       (2) if there are sufficient bed spaces at each location, 
     based on demand and drive time from the homes of veterans;
       (3) if there are any workforce-related capacity limitations 
     at each location, including if beds are unable to be used 
     because there are not enough providers to care for additional 
     patients;
       (4) if there are diagnosis-specific or sex-specific 
     barriers to accessing care under such programs; and
       (5) the average wait time for a bed in such a program, 
     broken out by--
       (A) Veterans Integrated Service Network;
       (B) rural or urban area;
       (C) sex; and
       (D) specialty (general program, substance use disorder 
     program, military sexual trauma program, etc.).
       (b) Recommendations for Modifications to Treatment 
     Programs.--Using the results from the study conducted under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall make recommendations 
     for--
       (1) new locations for opening facilities to participate in 
     the residential rehabilitation treatment programs of the 
     Department;
       (2) facilities under such programs at which new beds can be 
     added; and
       (3) any additional specialty tracks to be added to such 
     programs, such as substance use disorder or military sexual 
     trauma, in order to meet veteran need and demand.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after completion of 
     the study under subsection (a), 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 findings of the study 
     conducted under subsection (a) and the recommendations made 
     by the Secretary under subsection (b).

     SEC. 504. STUDY ON TREATMENT FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS FOR CO-OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH AND 
                   SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall conduct a study examining--
       (1) the availability of treatment programs for veterans 
     with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders 
     (including both inpatient and outpatient care);
       (2) any geographic disparities in access to such programs, 
     such as for rural and remote veterans; and
       (3) the average wait times for care under such programs.
       (b) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than two years after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, 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 findings of the study 
     conducted under subsection (a).
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include--
       (A) any recommendations resulting from the study conducted 
     under subsection (a) with respect to improving timeliness and 
     quality of care and meeting treatment preferences for 
     veterans with co-occurring mental health and substance use 
     disorders; and
       (B) a description of any actions taken by the Secretary to 
     improve care for such veterans.

     SEC. 505. STUDY ON WORKLOAD OF SUICIDE PREVENTION TEAMS OF 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting 
     through the Under Secretary for Health and the Office of 
     Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, shall conduct a study 
     evaluating the workload of local suicide prevention teams of 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (b) Elements.--The study conducted under subsection (a) 
     shall--
       (1) identify the effects of the growth of the suicide 
     prevention program of the Department on the workload of 
     suicide prevention teams;
       (2) incorporate key practices for staffing model design in 
     determining suicide prevention staffing needs; and

[[Page H5851]]

       (3) determine which facilities of the Department need 
     increased suicide prevention coordinator staffing to meet the 
     needs of veterans, with an emphasis placed on facilities with 
     high patient volume and facilities located in States with 
     high rates of veteran suicide.
       (c) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, 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--
       (1) on the findings of the study conducted under subsection 
     (a); and
       (2) indicating any changes made to the staffing of suicide 
     prevention teams of the Department resulting from the 
     determinations made under subsection (b)(3), including a list 
     of facilities of the Department where staffing was adjusted.

     SEC. 506. EXPANSION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH 
                   RESEARCH.

       (a) Research on Moral Injury.--The Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, acting through the Office of Research and 
     Development of the Department of Veterans Affairs, shall 
     conduct suicide prevention and mental health care improvement 
     research on how moral injury relates to the mental health 
     needs of veterans who served in the Armed Forces after 
     September 11, 2001, and best practices for mental health 
     treatment for such veterans.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs an 
     additional $10,000,000 to be used by the Center of Excellence 
     for Suicide Prevention of the Department and the Rocky 
     Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical 
     Center for purposes of conducting research on the factors 
     impacting veteran suicide and best practices for early 
     intervention and support.

     SEC. 507. STUDY ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION 
                   SUPPORT FOR MILITARY FAMILIES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in 
     collaboration with the Secretary of Defense, shall conduct a 
     study on secondary post-traumatic stress disorder and 
     depression and its impact on spouses, children, and 
     caregivers of members of the Armed Forces.
       (b) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than three years after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, in collaboration with the Secretary of Defense, 
     shall submit to Congress, veterans service organizations, and 
     military support organizations a report on the findings of 
     the study conducted under subsection (a).
       (2) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       (A) The term ``military support organization'' has the 
     meaning given that term by the Secretary of Defense.
       (B) The term ``veterans service organization'' means an 
     organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of 
     title 38, United States Code.

     SEC. 508. RESEARCH ON BRAIN HEALTH.

       There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs an additional $5,000,000 for ongoing and 
     future research at the Translational Research Center of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs for traumatic brain injury and 
     stress disorders to provide better understanding of, and 
     improved treatment options for, veterans who served in the 
     Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, and who have traumatic 
     brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder.

     SEC. 509. STUDY ON EFFICACY OF CLINICAL AND AT-HOME RESOURCES 
                   FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

       Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through 
     the Office of Research and Development of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, shall conduct a study on--
       (1) the efficacy of clinical and at-home resources, such as 
     mobile applications like COVID Coach, for providers, 
     veterans, caregivers, and family members to use for dealing 
     with stressors;
       (2) the feasibility and advisability of developing more 
     such resources;
       (3) strategies for improving mental health care and 
     outcomes for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder; 
     and
       (4) best practices for helping family members of veterans 
     deal with secondary post-traumatic stress disorder or mental 
     health concerns.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Levin) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend 
their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 6411, as 
amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6411, as amended, the 
Support The Resilience of Our Nation's Great Veterans Act, or STRONG 
Veterans Act.
  Chairman Takano introduced this bill with Ranking Member Bost, and we 
are grateful to them and their staff for working together over many 
months to bring this vital package to the House floor. This represents 
a true bipartisan effort to address a pressing issue.
  Although we all were glad to see the veteran suicide rate drop in the 
last year for which we have data, one death is one too many, and 
suicide is preventable. We must honor our veterans' service by getting 
them the care they have earned and deserve now.
  Preventing veteran suicide and strengthening veterans' mental health 
and well-being remains a top priority not only of the Biden 
administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs but also of our 
committee. There are prevention approaches and treatments that work, 
and we must expand all veterans' access to these lifesaving and life-
improving services.
  Madam Speaker, while we are talking about access, I want to make sure 
everyone listening today has the Veterans Crisis Line phone number. If 
you or somebody you care about is in distress, call 1-800-273-TALK--
that is 1-800-273-8255--and press 1 for responders with military and 
veteran expertise. There is no reason to suffer alone.
  Along with our colleagues in the Senate, we have advanced bipartisan 
bills over the past year that now make up the 22 sections of the STRONG 
Veterans Act.
  I want to especially thank our colleagues both on and off the 
committee for their individual legislative contributions to this 
omnibus package.
  Congresswoman Brownley, who chairs our Veterans' Affairs Health 
Subcommittee, introduced what we consider a cornerstone of STRONG--her 
American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans Mental Health Act. This 
provision mandates that VA hire full-time minority veteran coordinators 
at every VA medical center to provide culturally competent mental 
health and suicide prevention outreach to our Tribal veterans.
  Congresswoman Slotkin's Solid Start Act is included in STRONG and 
will ensure that VA continues to contact and check in with veterans 
following their transition from Active Duty during what we know is a 
very high-risk time for stress, mental health challenges, and even 
suicide.
  The committee also was pleased to include the Veteran Peer Specialist 
Act from Congressman Scott Peters. This is an important provision 
directing VA to expand its peer specialist program which is extremely 
popular with veterans.
  Although our colleague, former Congressman Delgado, recently left the 
House to become Lieutenant Governor of New York, I thank him for 
introducing the REACH for Veterans Act in the House. It is a critical 
component of STRONG and will strengthen VA's Veterans Crisis Line.
  Finally, Chairman Takano's bill in STRONG, the VA Governor's 
Challenge Expansion Act, mandates, for the first time, VA-included 
Tribes in addition to States in the successful Governors' Challenge 
program to prevent veteran suicide. No sovereign nation should have to 
wait to be invited to a State Governor's Challenge team. Instead, 
Tribes selected for the program will work directly with VA to tailor 
innovative suicide prevention ideas to the needs of their own Native 
veterans.
  Overall, STRONG will give VA important new authorities and resources 
to support veterans' mental health and well-being through increased 
training, outreach, mental health care delivery, and research in line 
with the committee's public health approach and President Biden's 
strategy to address veteran suicide.
  It addresses gaps along the spectrum of prevention and care by 
expanding mental health outreach to traditionally underserved veterans, 
developing and delivering the most effective treatments, better 
equipping VA's workforce to provide care, and further strengthening 
VA's crisis response system.

[[Page H5852]]

  With this legislation, we will help VA better meet veterans where 
they are--literally. STRONG directs VA to hire more mental health staff 
at vet centers close to where veterans live and work.
  STRONG also directs VA to assess and improve how well it serves 
veterans on college campuses. It requires VA to more consistently and 
comprehensively reach out and provide mental health services to 
veterans who have been involved with the criminal justice system.
  STRONG mandates that as the new three-digit crisis hotline number 
goes live across the country in July, VA further strengthen its 
Veterans Crisis Line to meet the predicted surge in demand for 
emergency care and followup.
  STRONG lays out important guidance for VA's research program related 
to suicide, substance use challenges, and other mental health issues. 
While caring for veterans today, VA must always be investing in science 
and looking for tomorrow's innovative solutions to improve veterans' 
lives.
  STRONG and its component bills are endorsed by too many veterans 
service organizations and health organizations to list, but, Madam 
Speaker, let me leave you with these words from Andrew Marshall, 
National Commander of Disabled American Veterans, ``There is simply no 
greater or more urgent challenge within the veteran community right now 
than addressing mental health concerns and ensuring our Nation's heroes 
have access to the support they need to both prevent and mitigate 
crisis.
  ``DAV is pleased to support the STRONG Veterans Act, and we urge its 
swift passage and signing into law.''
  In closing, Madam Speaker, Chairman Takano and I support this 
important piece of legislation, and we urge our colleagues to support 
H.R. 6411, as amended.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6411, as amended, the 
Support The Resiliency of Our Nation's Great, STRONG, Veterans Act.
  This bill would improve VA's mental health and suicide prevention 
strategies by doing a number of things. It would expand the Vet Center 
workforce, and it would also allow student veterans the opportunity to 
seek counseling at Vet Centers during what can be yet another stressful 
time in that period of transitioning into civilian life.

                              {time}  1315

  Additionally, the bill would allow family members of veterans who 
died by suicide to seek bereavement counseling at Vet Centers. This 
support, from counselors who know veterans and the challenges that 
their families often face, would be a valuable resource for those in 
mourning.
  This bill would expand training, scholarship, and loan repayment 
programs for the VA mental health providers. It would direct a series 
of actions to improve the Veterans Crisis Line, including enhanced 
training and oversight. It would codify an existing VA program that 
reaches out to veterans in their first year out of the military to 
provide them with information about relevant resources.
  This bill would require VA to conduct numerous studies with the goals 
of improving care for veterans with sleep disorders, refining inpatient 
care for veterans struggling with addiction, identifying treatments for 
veterans suffering from both mental health and substance use disorders, 
and assessing the possible secondary impacts PTSD and depression may 
have on veterans' families.
  This bill is the product of bipartisan, bicameral negotiations 
between the Veterans Affairs' Committee leaders. I thank Chairman 
Takano for working with me to introduce this bill and move it forward 
today.
  I thank Senate colleagues Chairman Tester and Ranking Member Moran 
for their work on this bill.
  This bill contains many provisions that were in standalone bills 
introduced by many of our other Members, and I recognize them today. I 
send a particular thank-you to Dr. Murphy, Congressman Rouzer, and to 
two of my fellow committee members, veterans themselves, Dr. Miller-
Meeks and Congressman Ellzey. Each of them spearheaded vital pieces of 
this legislation that will help veterans and their families thrive for 
years to come.
  I encourage any veteran listening to this who is struggling and in 
need of support to contact the veterans hotline by calling 1-800-273-
8825 and pressing 1. Once again, that is 1-800-273-8825 and pressing 1. 
Or you can also get there by texting 838255. That is 838255. Or you can 
actually visit the Veterans Crisis Line at veteranscrisisline.net, all 
one word.
  There is absolutely no shame in asking for help if you need it.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, 
and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Murphy), my good friend.
  Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today in 
enthusiastic support of H.R. 6411, the Support The Resiliency of Our 
Nation's Great Veterans Act, commonly known as the STRONG Act.
  I am proud that this legislation includes language from my bill, H.R. 
4233, the Student Veterans Counseling Centers Eligibility Act. I 
introduced this bill alongside Ranking Member Bost to aid veteran 
transition back to civilian life, especially for those looking to 
further their education.
  Far too often, we see the tragedy of our selfless defenders losing 
their battle to mental health issues when returning from service. The 
intention of our provision is to aid more of our veterans who are 
readjusting to civilian lives by providing them with overdue access to 
vital mental health resources.
  This is especially personal to my district, as I represent 89,000 
veterans, many of whom are or will be receiving benefits via the Post-
9/11 GI Bill.
  Regardless of which side of the aisle we sit on, we have an 
obligation to make sure that our counseling services are more 
accessible for our veterans, and I am glad that the STRONG Act focuses 
on this obligation.
  My provision would expand counseling and mental health support to 
student veterans through the VA's readjustment counseling centers, also 
known as Vet Centers. These centers provide individual, group, 
marriage, and family counseling, as well as peer support opportunities 
for Active-Duty servicemembers, veterans, members of the National Guard 
and Reserve, and certain military family members. Vet Centers are 
community based, confidential, and free.
  A recent RAND study shows that 20 percent of veterans on the GI Bill 
face feelings of depression from PTSD. That 20 percent amounts to over 
170,000 veterans, double the number of veterans in my district.
  Currently, the option of student veterans using school psychologists, 
in actuality, provides very little relief for our veterans. The 
director of policy and advocacy for the National Association of School 
Psychologists has reported that the national ratio of school 
psychologists to students is anywhere from 1 to 2,000 to 1 to 5,000.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Murphy).
  Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina. I have heard personal stories from 
student veterans who have had to wait weeks or even months for a mental 
health appointment if their mental health crisis was not deemed in need 
of ``immediate attention.'' Unfortunately, many of our veterans do not 
have the luxury of weeks or months to see a mental health provider.
  In addition, many of our universities' mental health counselors are 
actually not licensed professionals but, instead, graduate or doctoral 
students. Our veterans deserve better than this. They deserve the best 
healthcare from qualified professionals.
  Helping students succeed in school and their civilian lives is one of 
the most important ways we can thank them for their service.
  Tragically, the suicide rate among our veterans now is estimated to 
be anywhere from 17 to 22 suicides a day. Forty-six percent of military 
students

[[Page H5853]]

have reported suicidal thoughts, compared with only 6 percent of their 
nonmilitary peers.

  If we can provide mental health services that are able to assist just 
a single veteran who is contemplating suicide to choose to live, I 
believe it is our sworn duty to do so. We have that opportunity now.
  I am proud to support the STRONG Veterans Act, and I am very grateful 
to Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Bost for including my bill, the 
Student Veterans Counseling Center Eligibility Act. I urge my 
colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6411 in support of our Nation's 
veterans.
  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer).
  Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, after hearing from my constituent whose 
veteran spouse tragically died by suicide, and learning of the 
obstacles they faced when trying to receive critical mental health 
support for themselves and their children following his death, I 
introduced a bill to ensure veteran families struggling from such a 
loss have access to the support they need and deserve.
  My legislative language, included in this bill before us today, the 
STRONG Veterans Act, expands Vet Center eligibility for counseling and 
mental health services to families of servicemembers or veterans who 
died by suicide. This expansion of services is necessary so that these 
families can receive the critical mental health support needed to help 
them heal and move forward.
  We all know that grief can be extremely isolating, and the families 
of servicemembers and veterans who have died by suicide should not have 
to worry about enduring this difficult journey alone.
  Our military families who support a loved one who is serving, or has 
served, make a tremendous sacrifice for our country, as well. We must 
ensure they have access to the care that they deserve and the help that 
they need when trying to move forward after a suicide has devastated 
them and their family.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for 
working with me to include this very important piece of legislation in 
this package, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close. I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  First off, I say thank you to all the people who have worked on this 
important piece of legislation for the support that it is has received.
  The important thing is that we get the care, treatment, and support 
for all the veterans who are considering suicide and the families who 
suffer from the fact that they have done it.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, again, I ask all of my 
colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 6411, as amended, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
         
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6411, known 
as the STRONG Veterans Act of 2022.
  As a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland 
Security, I care deeply about our veterans.
  I offer my deepest gratitude to our Nation's troops and reservists, 
their families, and the 21.6 million veterans, including 29,126 in the 
18th Congressional District of Texas that I proudly represent.
  In Congress, I have sponsored many legislative proposals and co-
sponsored well over 50 pieces of legislation that will positively 
benefit our veterans and their families.
  Veterans with mental health diagnoses have a significantly elevated 
suicide risk. Suicide rates of veterans are at an all-time high, rising 
25 percent in 2021 over the previous year. Veterans continue to have a 
50 percent higher risk of suicide than their peers who have not served.
  More than 80 percent of post-9/11 veterans say that the public does 
not understand the problems that veterans face when transitioning to 
civilian life.
  Current resources to help the mental health of our veterans are 
inadequate. Our veterans need our support when transitioning back to 
civilian life.
  The STRONG Veterans Act will:
  Open eligibility for more student veterans at Vet Centers;
  Expand culturally competent suicide prevention at VA for native 
veterans;
  Significantly increase mental health staffing and training at VA 
medical centers and Vet Centers;
  Further strengthen the Veterans Crisis Line;
  Allow more veterans to benefit from engaging with peer specialists; 
and
  Collect data for VA to guide expansion of inpatient mental health and 
substance use treatment.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 6411.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Levin) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 6411, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________