[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 150 (Monday, September 19, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S4827]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 5505. Mr. SCHUMER (for Mr. Tester) proposed an amendment to the 
bill S. 1198, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and 
expand the Solid Start program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
and for other purposes; as follows:

        Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Solid Start Act of 2022''.

     SEC. 2. 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; and
       ``(B) following up missed phone calls with tailored 
     mailings to ensure the veteran still receives similar 
     information.
       ``(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.''.
                                 ______