[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 114-2
114th Congress

An Act


 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for the conduct
of annual evaluations of mental health care and suicide prevention
programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to require a pilot
program on loan repayment for psychiatrists who agree to serve in the
Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
and for other purposes. <>

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for
American Veterans Act'' or the ``Clay Hunt SAV Act''.
SEC. 2. EVALUATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND SUICIDE PREVENTION
PROGRAMS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) Evaluations.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 1709B. <>  Evaluations of mental
health care and suicide prevention programs

``(a) <>  Evaluations.--(1) Not less frequently
than once during each period specified in paragraph (3), the Secretary
shall provide for the conduct of an evaluation of the mental health care
and suicide prevention programs carried out under the laws administered
by the Secretary.

``(2) Each evaluation conducted under paragraph (1) shall--
``(A) use metrics that are common among and useful for
practitioners in the field of mental health care and suicide
prevention;
``(B) identify the most effective mental health care and
suicide prevention programs conducted by the Secretary,
including such programs conducted at a Center of Excellence;
``(C) identify the cost-effectiveness of each program
identified under subparagraph (B);
``(D) measure the satisfaction of patients with respect to
the care provided under each such program; and
``(E) propose best practices for caring for individuals who
suffer from mental health disorders or are at risk of suicide,
including such practices conducted or suggested by other
departments or agencies of the Federal Government, including the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the
Department of Health and Human Services.

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``(3) <>  The periods specified in this
paragraph are the following:
``(A) The period beginning on the date on which the
Secretary awards the contract under paragraph (4) and ending on
September 30, 2018.
``(B) <>  Each fiscal year beginning
on or after October 1, 2018.

``(4) <>  Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall seek to
enter into a contract with an independent third party unaffiliated with
the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct evaluations under
paragraph (1).

``(5) The independent third party that is awarded the contract under
paragraph (4) shall submit to the Secretary each evaluation conducted
under paragraph (1).
``(b) <>  Annual Submission.--Not later
than December 1, 2018, and each year thereafter, 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
that contains the following:
``(1) The most recent evaluations submitted to the Secretary
under subsection (a)(5) that the Secretary has not previously
submitted to such Committees.
``(2) Any recommendations the Secretary considers
appropriate.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter <>  is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1709A
the following new item:

``1709B. Evaluations of mental health care and suicide prevention
programs.''.

(b) <>  Interim Reports.--Not later than
September 30 of each of 2016 and 2017, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, in coordination with the independent third party awarded a
contract by the Secretary pursuant to section 1709B(a)(4) of title 38,
United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), 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 mental
health care and suicide prevention programs carried out under the laws
administered by the Secretary that includes, with respect to each such
program, the following:
(1) A description of the program.
(2) The number of veterans served by the program.
(3) The budget of the program.
(4) The number of full-time equivalent employees assigned to
the program.
(5) Whether veterans may repeat participation in the program
or participate in the program in addition to other similar
programs.
(6) Any study results or research published regarding the
efficacy of the program.
(7) Any other information the Secretary determines
appropriate.
SEC. 3. <>  PUBLICATION OF INTERNET
WEBSITE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING
MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

(a) <>  In General.--Using funds made available to
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to publish the Internet websites of
the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary shall survey the
existing Internet websites and information resources of the Department

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to publish an Internet website that serves as a centralized source to
provide veterans with information regarding all of the mental health
care services provided by the Secretary.

(b) Elements.--The Internet website published under subsection (a)
shall provide to veterans information regarding all of the mental health
care services available in the Veteran Integrated Service Network that
the veteran is seeking such services, including, with respect to each
medical center, Vet Center (as defined in section 1712A of title 38,
United States Code), and community-based outpatient center in the
Veterans Integrated Service Network--
(1) the name and contact information of each social work
office;
(2) the name and contact information of each mental health
clinic;
(3) a list of appropriate staff; and
(4) any other information the Secretary determines
appropriate.

(c) <>  Updated Information.--The Secretary shall
ensure that the information described in subsection (b) that is
published on the Internet website under subsection (a) is updated not
less than once every 90 days.

(d) Outreach.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall
ensure that the outreach conducted under section 1720F(i) of title 38,
United States Code, includes information regarding the Internet website
published under subsection (a).
SEC. 4. <>  PILOT PROGRAM FOR REPAYMENT
OF EDUCATIONAL LOANS FOR CERTAIN PSYCHIATRISTS
OF VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.

(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry
out a pilot program to repay loans of individuals described in
subsection (b) that--
(1) were used by such individuals to finance education
relating to psychiatric medicine, including education leading
to--
(A) a degree of doctor of medicine; or
(B) a degree of doctor of osteopathy; and
(2) were obtained from any of the following:
(A) A governmental entity.
(B) A private financial institution.
(C) A school.
(D) Any other authorized entity as determined by the
Secretary.

(b) Eligible Individuals.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), an individual
eligible for participation in the pilot program is an individual
who--
(A) either--
(i) is licensed or eligible for licensure to
practice psychiatric medicine in the Veterans
Health Administration of the Department of
Veterans Affairs; or
(ii) is enrolled in the final year of a
residency program leading to a specialty
qualification in psychiatric medicine that is
approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate
Medical Education; and

[[Page 33]]

(B) demonstrates a commitment to a long-term career
as a psychiatrist in the Veterans Health Administration,
as determined by the Secretary.
(2) Prohibition on simultaneous eligibility.--An individual
who is participating in any other program of the Federal
Government that repays the educational loans of the individual
is not eligible to participate in the pilot program.

(c) Selection.--The Secretary shall select not less than 10
individuals described in subsection (b) to participate in the pilot
program for each year in which the Secretary carries out the pilot
program.
(d) <>  Period of Obligated Service.--The
Secretary shall enter into an agreement with each individual selected
under subsection (c) in which such individual agrees to serve a period
of 2 or more years of obligated service for the Veterans Health
Administration in the field of psychiatric medicine, as determined by
the Secretary.

(e) Loan Repayments.--
(1) Amounts.--Subject to paragraph (2), a loan repayment
under this section may consist of payment of the principal,
interest, and related expenses of a loan obtained by an
individual who is participating in the pilot program for all
educational expenses (including tuition, fees, books, and
laboratory expenses) of such individual relating to education
described in subsection (a)(1).
(2) Limit.--For each year of obligated service that an
individual who is participating in the pilot program agrees to
serve under subsection (d), the Secretary may pay not more than
$30,000 in loan repayment on behalf of such individual.

(f) Breach.--
(1) Liability.--An individual who participates in the pilot
program and fails to satisfy the period of obligated service
under subsection (d) shall be liable to the United States, in
lieu of such obligated service, for the amount that has been
paid or is payable to or on behalf of the individual under the
pilot program, reduced by the proportion that the number of days
served for completion of the period of obligated service bears
to the total number of days in the period of obligated service
of such individual.
(2) Repayment period.--Any amount of damages that the United
States is entitled to recover under this subsection shall be
paid to the United States not later than 1 year after the date
of the breach of the agreement.

(g) Report.--
(1) Initial report.--Not later than 2 years after the date
on which the pilot program under subsection (a) commences, 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 pilot program.
(2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) The number of individuals who participated in
the pilot program, including the number of new hires.
(B) The locations in which such individuals were
employed by the Department, including how many such
locations were rural or urban locations.

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(C) <>  An assessment of the
quality of the work performed by such individuals in the
course of such employment, including the performance
reviews of such individuals.
(D) <>  The number of
psychiatrists the Secretary determines is needed by the
Department in the future.
(3) Final report.--Not later than 90 days before the date on
which the pilot program terminates under subsection (i), the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House
of Representatives an update to the report submitted under
paragraph (1) and any recommendations that the Secretary
considers appropriate.

(h) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry
out this section, including standards for qualified loans and authorized
payees and other terms and conditions for the making of loan repayments.
(i) Termination.--The authority to carry out the pilot program shall
expire on the date that is 3 years after the date on which the Secretary
commences the pilot program.
SEC. 5. <>  PILOT PROGRAM ON COMMUNITY
OUTREACH.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a
pilot program to assist veterans transitioning from serving on active
duty and to improve the access of veterans to mental health services.
(b) Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program
under subsection (a) at not less than five Veterans Integrated Service
Networks that have a large population of veterans who--
(1) served in the reserve components of the Armed Forces; or
(2) are transitioning into communities with an established
population of veterans after having recently separated from the
Armed Forces.

(c) Functions.--The pilot program at each Veterans Integrated
Service Network described in subsection (b) shall include the following:
(1) A community oriented veteran peer support network,
carried out in partnership with an appropriate entity with
experience in peer support programs, that--
(A) establishes peer support training guidelines;
(B) develops a network of veteran peer support
counselors to meet the demands of the communities in the
Veterans Integrated Service Network;
(C) conducts training of veteran peer support
counselors;
(D) with respect to one medical center selected by
the Secretary in each such Veterans Integrated Service
Network, has--
(i) a designated peer support specialist who
acts as a liaison to the community oriented
veteran peer network; and
(ii) a certified mental health professional
designated as the community oriented veteran peer
network mentor; and
(E) is readily available to veterans, including
pursuant to the Veterans Integrated Service Network
cooperating

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and working with State and local governments and
appropriate entities.
(2) A community outreach team for each medical center
selected by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1)(D) that--
(A) assists veterans transitioning into communities;
(B) establishes a veteran transition advisory group
to facilitate outreach activities;
(C) includes the participation of appropriate
community organizations, State and local governments,
colleges and universities, chambers of commerce and
other local business organizations, and organizations
that provide legal aid or advice; and
(D) coordinates with the Veterans Integrated Service
Network regarding the Veterans Integrated Service
Network carrying out an annual mental health summit to
assess the status of veteran mental health care in the
community and to develop new or innovative means to
provide mental health services to veterans.

(d) Reports.--
(1) Initial report.--Not later than 18 months after the date
on which the pilot program under subsection (a) commences, 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 pilot program. With respect
to each Veterans Integrated Service Network described in
subsection (b), the report shall include--
(A) a full description of the peer support model
implemented under the pilot program, participation data,
and data pertaining to past and current mental health
related hospitalizations and fatalities;
(B) <>  recommendations on
implementing peer support networks throughout the
Department;
(C) whether the mental health resources made
available under the pilot program for members of the
reserve components of the Armed Forces is effective; and
(D) a full description of the activities and
effectiveness of community outreach coordinating teams
under the pilot program, including partnerships that
have been established with appropriate entities.
(2) Final report.--Not later than 90 days before the date on
which the pilot program terminates under subsection (e), the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House
of Representatives an update to the report submitted under
paragraph (1).

(e) Construction.--This section may not be construed to authorize
the Secretary to hire additional employees of the Department to carry
out the pilot program under subsection (a).
(f) Termination.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out the
pilot program under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 3
years after the date on which the pilot program commences.

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SEC. 6. <>  COLLABORATION ON SUICIDE
PREVENTION EFFORTS BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS AND NON-PROFIT MENTAL HEALTH
ORGANIZATIONS.

(a) Collaboration.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may
collaborate with non-profit mental health organizations to prevent
suicide among veterans as follows:
(1) To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of suicide
prevention efforts carried out by the Secretary and non-profit
mental health organizations.
(2) To assist non-profit mental health organizations with
the suicide prevention efforts of such organizations through the
use of the expertise of employees of the Department of Veterans
Affairs.
(3) To jointly carry out suicide prevention efforts.

(b) Exchange of Resources.--In carrying out any collaboration under
subsection (a), the Secretary and any non-profit mental health
organization with which the Secretary is collaborating under such
subsection shall exchange training sessions and best practices to help
with the suicide prevention efforts of the Department and such
organization.
(c) Director of Suicide Prevention Coordination.--The Secretary
shall select within the Department a Director of Suicide Prevention
Coordination to undertake any collaboration with non-profit mental
health organizations under this section or any other provision of law.
SEC. 7. ADDITIONAL PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY FOR HEALTH CARE FOR
CERTAIN VETERANS OF COMBAT SERVICE DURING
CERTAIN PERIODS OF HOSTILITIES AND WAR.

Paragraph (3) of section 1710(e) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``(3) In the case of care for a veteran described in paragraph
(1)(D), hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care may be
provided under or by virtue of subsection (a)(2)(F) only during the
following periods:
``(A) Except as provided by subparagraph (B), with respect
to a veteran described in paragraph (1)(D) who is discharged or
released from the active military, naval, or air service after
January 27, 2003, the five-year period beginning on the date of
such discharge or release.
``(B) <>  With respect to a veteran
described in paragraph (1)(D) who is discharged or released from
the active military, naval, or air service after January 1,
2009, and before January 1, 2011, but did not enroll to receive
such hospital care, medical services, or nursing home care
pursuant to such paragraph during the five-year period described
in subparagraph (A), the one-year period beginning on the date
of the enactment of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for
American Veterans Act.
``(C) With respect to a veteran described in paragraph
(1)(D) who is discharged or released from the active military,
naval, or air service on or before January 27, 2003, and did not
enroll in the patient enrollment system under section 1705 of
this title on or before such date, the three-year period
beginning on January 27, 2008.''.

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SEC. 8. PROHIBITION ON NEW APPROPRIATIONS.

No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and this Act and such
amendments shall be carried out using amounts otherwise made available
for such purposes.

Approved February 12, 2015.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 203:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

SENATE REPORTS: No. 114-34 (Comm. on Veterans' Affairs).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 161 (2015):
Jan. 12, considered and passed House.
Feb. 3, considered and passed Senate.
DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2015):
Feb. 12, Presidential remarks.