[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S3479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 6359. Mr. BOOKER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2027 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 D of title VII add the following:

     SEC. 771. STRATEGIC PLAN TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH OF MEMBERS 
                   OF THE ARMED FORCES.

       (a) Plan.--The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with 
     the Secretary of each military department and the Director of 
     the Defense Health Agency, shall develop a strategic plan to 
     address suicide by members of the Armed Forces and the mental 
     health services provided to such members.
       (b) Elements.--The plan under subsection (a) shall include 
     the following:
       (1) Developing and enforcing uniform protocols with respect 
     to--
       (A) the regulations prescribed for the self-initiated 
     referral process under section 1090b(e) of title 10, United 
     States Code, for members of the Armed Forces seeking mental 
     health evaluations; and
       (B) the provision of information, including through 
     workplace posters, flyers, and advertisements, to ensure 
     members of the Armed Forces are aware of such referral 
     process.
       (2) Standardized mental health training for members of the 
     Armed Forces, including--
       (A) specialized training for commanders, senior enlisted 
     leaders, and medical personnel on identifying and addressing 
     mental health concerns;
       (B) the development of a certification process based on 
     completion of training with documented proof of compliance;
       (C) training on how to respond when a member of the Armed 
     Forces initiates the referral process under section 1090b(e) 
     of title 10, United States Code; and
       (D) training on how to recognize signs indicating mental 
     health distress.
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