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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3517 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3517

   To enhance the services available to members of the Armed Forces 
  returning from deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation 
 Enduring Freedom to assist such members in transitioning to civilian 
                     life, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 15, 2006

 Mrs. Clinton introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
              referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
   To enhance the services available to members of the Armed Forces 
  returning from deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation 
 Enduring Freedom to assist such members in transitioning to civilian 
                     life, 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 ``Heroes at Home Act of 2006''.

SEC. 2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF TASK FORCE ON MENTAL HEALTH ON TRANSITION 
              TO CIVILIAN LIFE OF MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND 
              RESERVE RETURNING FROM DEPLOYMENT IN OPERATION IRAQI 
              FREEDOM AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

    (a) In General.--Section 723 of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109-163; 119 Stat. 3348) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g) as 
        subsections (e), (f), (g), and (h), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
        subsection (d):
    ``(d) Assessment and Recommendations on Transition to Civilian Life 
of Members of National Guard and Reserve Returning From Deployment in 
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.--
            ``(1) In general.--In addition to the activities required 
        under subsection (c), the task force shall, not later than 12 
        months after the date of the enactment of the Heroes at Home 
        Act of 2006, submit to the Secretary a report containing an 
        assessment of, and recommendations for improving, assistance to 
        members of the National Guard and Reserve returning from 
        deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring 
        Freedom, and their families, in transitioning to civilian 
        employment upon their return from such deployment, including--
                    ``(A) members who were self-employed before 
                deployment and seek to return to such employment after 
                deployment;
                    ``(B) members who were students before deployment 
                and seek to return to school or commence employment 
                after deployment;
                    ``(C) members who have experienced multiple recent 
                deployments; and
                    ``(D) members who have been wounded or injured 
                during deployment.
            ``(2) Working group.--In conducting the assessment and 
        making the recommendations required by paragraph (1), the task 
        force shall utilize the assistance of a working group that 
        consists of individuals selected by the task force from among 
        individuals as follows:
                    ``(A) With the concurrence of the Administrator of 
                the Small Business Administration, personnel of the 
                Small Business Administration.
                    ``(B) Representatives of employers who employ 
                members of the National Guard and Reserve described in 
                paragraph (1) on their return to civilian life as 
                described in that paragraph.
                    ``(C) Representatives of employee assistance 
                organizations.
                    ``(D) Representatives of associations of employers.
                    ``(E) Representatives of organizations that assist 
                wounded or injured members of the National Guard and 
                Reserves in finding or sustaining employment.
                    ``(F) Representatives of such other public or 
                private organizations and entities as the co-chairs of 
                the task force, in consultation with the members of the 
                task force, consider appropriate.
            ``(3) Report elements.--The report required by paragraph 
        (1) shall include recommendations on the following:
                    ``(A) The provision of outreach and training to 
                employers, employment assistance organizations, and 
                associations of employers on the employment, 
                readjustment, and mental health needs of members of the 
                National Guard and Reserve described in paragraph (1) 
                upon their return from deployment as described in that 
                paragraph.
                    ``(B) The provision of outreach and training to 
                employers, employment assistance organizations, and 
                associations of employers on the needs of family 
                members of such members.
                    ``(C) The improvement of collaboration between the 
                pubic and private sectors in order to ensure the 
                successful transition of such members into civilian 
                employment upon their return from such deployment.
            ``(4) Other duties.--In the period between the submittal of 
        the report required by paragraph (1) and the termination of the 
        task force under subsection (h), the task force (including the 
        working group established under paragraph (2)) shall serve as 
        an advisor to the Assistance Center for Employers and 
        Employment Assistance Organizations established under section 3 
        of the Heroes at Home Act of 2006.
            ``(5) Employment assistance organization defined.--In this 
        subsection, the term `employment assistance organization' means 
        an organization or entity, whether public or private, that 
        provides assistance to individuals in finding or retaining 
        employment, including organizations and entities under military 
        career support programs.''.
    (b) Report.--Subsection (f) of such section, as redesignated by 
subsection (a)(1) of this section, is further amended--
            (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Report'' and 
        inserting ``Reports'';
            (2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following 
        new paragraph (1):
            ``(1) In general.--The report submitted to the Secretary 
        under each of subsections (c) and (d) shall include--
                    ``(A) a description of the activities of the task 
                force under such subsection;
                    ``(B) the assessment and recommendations required 
                by such subsection; and
                    ``(C) such other matters relating to the activities 
                of the task force under such subsection as the task 
                force considers appropriate.''; and
            (3) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``the report under paragraph (1)'' 
                and inserting ``a report under paragraph (1)''; and
                    (B) by striking ``the report as'' and inserting 
                ``such report as''.
    (c) Plan Matters.--Subsection (g) of such section, as redesignated 
by subsection (a)(1) of this section, is further amended--
            (1) by striking ``the report from the task force under 
        subsection (e)(1)'' and inserting ``a report from the task 
        force under subsection (f)(1)''; and
            (2) by inserting ``contained in such report'' after ``the 
        task force'' the second place it appears.
    (d) Termination.--Subsection (h) of such section, as redesignated 
by subsection (a)(1) of this section, is further amended--
            (1) by inserting ``with respect to the assessment and 
        recommendations required by subsection (d)'' after ``the task 
        force''; and
            (2) by striking ``subsection (e)(2)'' and inserting 
        ``subsection (f)(2)''.

SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE 
              ORGANIZATIONS.

    (a) Establishment of Center.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall establish 
        an office to assist employers, employment assistance 
        organizations, and associations of employers in facilitating 
        the successful transition to civilian employment of members of 
        the National Guard and Reserve returning from deployment in 
        Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.
            (2) Designation.--The office established under this 
        subsection shall be known as the ``Assistance Center for 
        Employers and Employment Assistance Organizations'' (in this 
        section referred to as the ``Center'').
            (3) Head.--The Secretary shall designate an individual to 
        act as the head of the Center.
            (4) Integration.--In establishing the Center, the Secretary 
        shall ensure close communication between the Center and the 
        military departments, including the commands of the reserve 
        components of the Armed Forces.
    (b) Functions.--The Center shall have the following functions:
            (1) To provide education and technical assistance to 
        employers, employment assistance organizations, and 
        associations of employers to assist them in facilitating the 
        successful transition to civilian employment of members of the 
        National Guard and Reserve described in subsection (a) on their 
        return from deployment as described in that subsection.
            (2) To provide education and technical assistance to 
        employers, employment assistance organizations, and 
        associations of employers to assist them in facilitating the 
        successful adjustment of family members of the National Guard 
        and Reserve to the deployment and return from deployment of 
        members of the National Guard and Reserve as described in that 
        subsection.
    (c) Resources to Be Provided.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the functions specified in 
        subsection (b), the Center shall provide employers, employment 
        assistance organizations, and associations of employers 
        resources, services, and assistance that include the following:
                    (A) Guidelines on best practices and effective 
                strategies.
                    (B) Education on the physical and mental health 
                difficulties that can and may be experienced by members 
                of the National Guard and Reserve described in 
                subsection (a) on their return from deployment as 
                described in that subsection in transitioning to 
                civilian employment, including difficulties arising 
                from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and 
                traumatic brain injury (TBI), including education on--
                            (i) the detection of warning signs of such 
                        difficulties;
                            (ii) the medical, mental health, and 
                        employment services available to such members, 
                        including materials on services offered by the 
                        Department of Defense, the Department of 
                        Veterans Affairs (including through the vet 
                        center program under section 1712A of title 38, 
                        United States Code), the Department of Labor, 
                        military support programs, and community mental 
                        health clinics; and
                            (iii) the mechanisms for referring such 
                        members for services described in clause (ii) 
                        and for other medical and mental health 
                        screening and care when appropriate.
                    (C) Education on the range and types of potential 
                physical and mental health effects of deployment and 
                post-deployment adjustment on family members of members 
                of the National Guard and Reserve described in 
                subsection (a), including education on--
                            (i) the detection of warning signs on such 
                        effects on family members of members of the 
                        National Guard and Reserves;
                            (ii) the medical, mental health, and 
                        employment services available to such family 
                        members, including materials on such services 
                        as described in subparagraph (B)(ii); and
                            (iii) mechanisms for referring such family 
                        members for services described in clause (ii) 
                        and for medical and mental health screening and 
                        care when appropriate.
                    (D) Education on mechanisms, strategies, and 
                resources for accommodating and employing wounded or 
                injured members of the National Guard and Reserves in 
                work settings.
            (2) Provision of resources.--The Center shall make 
        resources, services, and assistance available under this 
        subsection through such mechanisms as the head of the Center 
        considers appropriate, including the Internet, video 
        conferencing, telephone services, workshops, trainings, 
        presentations, group forums, and other mechanisms.
    (d) Personnel and Other Resources.--The Secretary of Defense shall 
assign to the Center such personnel, funding, and other resources as 
are required to ensure the effective discharge by the Center of the 
functions under subsection (b).
    (e) Reports on Activities.--
            (1) Annual report by center.--Not later than one year after 
        the establishment of the Center, and annually thereafter, the 
        head of the Center, in consultation with the Department of 
        Defense Task Force on Mental Health (while in effect), shall 
        submit to the Secretary of Defense a written report on the 
        progress and outcomes of the Center during the one-year period 
        ending on the date of such report.
            (2) Transmittal to congress.--Not later than 60 days after 
        receipt of a report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
        transmit such report to the Committees on Armed Services of the 
        Senate and the House of Representatives, together with--
                    (A) such comments on such report, and such 
                assessment of the effectiveness of the Center, as the 
                Secretary considers appropriate; and
                    (B) such recommendations on means of improving the 
                effectiveness of the Center as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate.
            (3) Availability to public.--The Secretary shall take 
        appropriate actions to make each report under paragraph (2) 
        available to the public, including through the Internet website 
        of the Center.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Employment assistance organization.--The term 
        ``employment assistance organization'' means an organization or 
        entity, whether public or private, that provides assistance to 
        individuals in finding or retaining employment, including 
        organizations and entities under military career support 
        programs.
            (2) Department of defense task force on mental health.--The 
        term ``Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health'' 
        means the Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health 
        established under section 723 of the National Defense 
        Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, as amended by section 2 
        of this Act.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Department of Defense to carry out this section 
amounts as follows:
            (1) For fiscal year 2007, $5,000,000.
            (2) For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011, such sums 
        as may be necessary.

SEC. 4. GRANTS ON ASSISTANCE IN COMMUNITY-BASED SETTINGS FOR MEMBERS OF 
              THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE AND THEIR FAMILIES AFTER 
              DEPLOYMENT IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND OPERATION 
              ENDURING FREEDOM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense may award grants to 
eligible entities to carry out demonstration projects to assess the 
feasibility and advisability of utilizing community-based settings for 
the provision of assistance to members of the National Guard and 
Reserve who serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring 
Freedom, and their families, after the return of such members from 
deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, as 
the case may be, including--
            (1) services to improve the reuniting of such members of 
        the National Guard and Reserve and their families;
            (2) education to increase awareness of the physical and 
        mental health difficulties that members of the National Guard 
        and Reserve can and may experience on their return from such 
        deployment, including education on--
                    (A) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and 
                traumatic brain injury (TBI); and
                    (B) mechanisms for the referral of such members of 
                the National Guard and Reserve for medical and mental 
                health screening and care when necessary; and
            (3) education to increase awareness of the physical and 
        mental health difficulties that family members of such members 
        of the National Guard and Reserve can and may experience on the 
        return of such members from such deployment, including 
        education on--
                    (A) depression, anxiety, and relationship problems; 
                and
                    (B) mechanisms for medical and mental health 
                screening and care when appropriate.
    (b) Eligible Entities.--An entity eligible for the award of a grant 
under this section is any public or private non-profit organization, 
such as a community mental health clinic, family support organization, 
military support organization, law enforcement agency, community 
college, or public school.
    (c) Application.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under this 
section shall submit to the Secretary of Defense an application 
therefor in such manner, and containing such information, as the 
Secretary may require for purposes of this section, including a 
description of how such entity will work with the Department of 
Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, State health agencies, 
other appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, family support 
organizations, and other community organization in undertaking 
activities described in subsection (a).
    (d) Annual Reports by Grant Recipients.--An entity awarded a grant 
under this section shall submit to the Secretary of Defense on an 
annual basis a report on the activities undertaken by such entity 
during the preceding year utilizing amounts under the grant. Each 
report shall include such information as the Secretary shall specify 
for purposes of this subsection.
    (e) Annual Reports to Congress.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the 
        Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on 
        activities undertaken under the grants awarded under this 
        section. The report shall include recommendations for 
        legislative, programmatic, or administrative action to improve 
        or enhance activities under the grants awarded under this 
        section.
            (2) Availability to public.--The Secretary shall take 
        appropriate actions to make each report under this subsection 
        available to the public.

SEC. 5. LONGITUDINAL STUDY ON TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY INCURRED BY 
              MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 
              AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

    (a) Study Required.--The Secretary of Defense shall, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, provide for a 
longitudinal study on the effects of traumatic brain injury incurred by 
members of the Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation 
Enduring Freedom. The duration of the longitudinal study shall be 15 
years.
    (b) Selection of Entity for Conduct of Study.--The Secretary of 
Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
select an entity to conduct the study required by subsection (a) from 
among private organizations or entities qualified to conduct the study.
    (c) Elements.--The study required by subsection (a) shall address 
the following:
            (1) The long-term effects of traumatic brain injury on the 
        overall readiness of the Armed Forces.
            (2) Mechanisms for improving body armor and helmets in 
        order to protect members of the Armed Forces from sustaining 
        traumatic brain injuries.
            (3) The long-term physical and mental health consequences 
        of traumatic brain injuries incurred by members of the Armed 
        Forces during service in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation 
        Enduring Freedom.
            (4) The health care, mental health care, and rehabilitation 
        needs of such members for such injuries after the completion of 
        inpatient treatment through the Department of Defense, the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs, or both.
            (5) The type and availability of long-term care 
        rehabilitation programs and services within and outside the 
        Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs 
        for such members for such injuries, including community-based 
        programs and services and in-home programs and services.
    (d) Reports.--
            (1) Periodic and final reports.--After the third, seventh, 
        eleventh, and fifteenth years of the study required by 
        subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation 
        with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, submit to the 
        appropriate elements of the Department of Defense and the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs, and to Congress, a 
        comprehensive report on the results of the study during the 
        preceding years. Each report shall include the following:
                    (A) Current information on the cumulative outcomes 
                of the study.
                    (B) In the case of a report to elements of the 
                Department of Defense--
                            (i) such recommendations as the Secretary 
                        of Defense considers appropriate for 
                        programmatic and administrative action to 
                        improve body armor and helmets to protect 
                        members of the Armed Forces from sustaining 
                        traumatic brain injuries; and
                            (ii) such other recommendations as the 
                        Secretary considers appropriate based on the 
                        outcomes of the study.
                    (C) In the case of a report to elements of the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs--
                            (i) such recommendations as the Secretary 
                        of Veterans Affairs considers appropriate for 
                        programmatic and administrative action to 
                        improve long-term care and rehabilitative 
                        programs and services for members of the Armed 
                        Forces with traumatic brain injury; and
                            (ii) such other recommendations as the 
                        Secretary considers appropriate based on the 
                        outcomes of the study.
                    (D) In the case of a report to Congress--
                            (i) such recommendations as the Secretary 
                        of Defense considers appropriate for 
                        legislative action to improve body armor and 
                        helmets to protect members of the Armed Forces 
                        from sustaining traumatic brain injuries;
                            (ii) such recommendations as the Secretary 
                        of Veterans Affairs considers appropriate for 
                        legislative action to improve long-term care 
                        and rehabilitative programs and services for 
                        members of the Armed Forces with traumatic 
                        brain injury; and
                            (iii) such other recommendations as the 
                        Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of 
                        Veterans Affairs jointly consider appropriate 
                        based on the outcomes of the study.
            (2) Availability to public.--The Secretary of Defense and 
        the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly take 
        appropriate actions to make each report under this subsection 
        available to the public.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Department of Defense to carry out this section 
amounts as follows:
            (1) For fiscal year 2007, $5,000,000.
            (2) For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013, such sums 
        as may be necessary.

SEC. 6. TRAINING CURRICULA FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS ON CARE AND ASSISTANCE 
              FOR MEMBERS AND FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH 
              TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY INCURRED IN OPERATION IRAQI 
              FREEDOM AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

    (a) Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel.--
            (1) Establishment.--The Secretary of Defense shall, in 
        consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, establish 
        within the Department of Defense a panel to develop 
        coordinated, uniform, and consistent training curricula to be 
        used in training family members in the provision of care and 
        assistance to members and former members of the Armed Forces 
        for traumatic brain injuries incurred during service in the 
        Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring 
        Freedom.
            (2) Designation of panel.--The panel established under 
        paragraph (1) shall be known as the ``Traumatic Brain Injury 
        Family Caregiver Panel''.
            (3) Members.--The Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver 
        Panel established under paragraph (1) shall consist of 15 
        members appointed by the Secretary of Defense, in consultation 
        with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, equally represented 
        from among--
                    (A) physicians, nurses, rehabilitation therapists, 
                and other individuals with an expertise in caring for 
                and assisting individuals with traumatic brain injury, 
                including those who specialize in caring for and 
                assisting individuals with traumatic brain injury 
                incurred in war;
                    (B) representatives of family caregivers or family 
                caregiver associations;
                    (C) Department of Defense and Department of 
                Veterans Affairs health and medical personnel with 
                expertise in traumatic brain injury, and Department of 
                Defense personnel and readiness representatives with 
                expertise in traumatic brain injury;
                    (D) representatives of military service 
                organizations who specialize in matters relating to 
                disabled veterans;
                    (E) representatives of veterans service 
                organizations who specialize in matters relating to 
                disabled veterans;
                    (F) psychologists or other individuals with 
                expertise in the mental health treatment and care of 
                individuals with traumatic brain injury;
                    (G) experts in the development of training 
                curricula;
                    (H) researchers and academicians who study 
                traumatic brain injury; and
                    (I) any other individuals the Secretary considers 
                appropriate.
            (4) Meetings.--The Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver 
        Panel shall meet not less than monthly.
    (b) Development of Curricula.--
            (1) In general.--The Traumatic Brain Injury Family 
        Caregiver Panel shall develop training curricula to be utilized 
        during the provision of training to family members of members 
        and former members of the Armed Forces described in subsection 
        (a) on techniques, strategies, and skills for care and 
        assistance for such members and former members with the 
        traumatic brain injuries described in that subsection.
            (2) Scope of curricula.--The curricula shall--
                    (A) be based on empirical research and validated 
                techniques; and
                    (B) shall provide for training that permits 
                recipients to tailor caregiving to the unique 
                circumstances of the member or former member of the 
                Armed Forces receiving care.
            (3) Particular requirements.--In developing the curricula, 
        the Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel shall--
                    (A) specify appropriate training commensurate with 
                the severity of traumatic brain injury; and
                    (B) identify appropriate care and assistance to be 
                provided for the degree of severity of traumatic brain 
                injury for caregivers of various levels of skill and 
                capability.
            (4) Use of existing materials.--In developing the 
        curricula, the Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel 
        shall utilize and enhance any existing training curricular, 
        materials, and resources applicable to such curricula as the 
        Panel considers appropriate.
            (5) Consultation.--In developing the curricula, the 
        Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel shall consult 
        with the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee, as appropriate.
            (6) Deadline for development.--The Traumatic Brain Injury 
        Family Caregiver Panel shall develop the curricula not later 
        than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Dissemination of Curricula.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall, in 
        consultation with the Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver 
        Panel, develop mechanisms for the dissemination of the 
        curricula developed under subsection (b) to health care 
        professionals referred to in paragraph (2) who treat or 
        otherwise work with members and former members of the Armed 
        Forces with traumatic brain injury incurred in Operation Iraqi 
        Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. In developing such 
        mechanisms, the Secretary may utilize and enhance existing 
        mechanisms, including the Military Severely Injured Center.
            (2) Health care professionals.--The health care 
        professionals referred to in this paragraph are the following:
                    (A) Personnel at military medical treatment 
                facilities.
                    (B) Personnel at the polytrauma centers of the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs.
                    (C) Personnel and care managers at the Military 
                Severely Injured Center.
                    (D) Such other health care professionals of the 
                Department of Defense as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate.
                    (E) Such other health care professionals of the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs as the Secretary of 
                Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans 
                Affairs, considers appropriate.
            (3) Scope.--The mechanisms developed under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the provision of refresher training in the 
        curricula developed under subsection (a) for the health care 
        professional referred to in paragraph (2) not less often than 
        once every six months.
            (4) Provision of training to family caregivers.--
                    (A) In general.--Health care professionals referred 
                to in paragraph (2) who are trained in the curricula 
                developed under subsection (b) shall provide training 
                to family members of members and former members of the 
                Armed Forces who incur traumatic brain injuries during 
                service in the Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation 
                Enduring Freedom in the care and assistance to be 
                provided for such injuries.
                    (B) Timing of training.--Training under this 
                paragraph shall, to the extent practicable, be provided 
                to family members while the member or former member 
                concerned is undergoing treatment at a facility of the 
                Department of Defense or Department of Veterans 
                Affairs, as applicable, in order to ensure that such 
                family members receive practice on the provision of 
                such care and assistance under the guidance of 
                qualified health professionals.
                    (C) Particularized training.--Training provided 
                under this paragraph to family members of a particular 
                member or former member shall be tailored to the 
                particular care needs of such member or former member 
                and the particular caregiving needs of such family 
                members.
            (5) Quality assurance.--The Secretary shall develop 
        mechanisms to ensure quality in the provision of training under 
        this section to health care professionals referred to in 
        paragraph (2) and in the provision of such training under 
        paragraph (4) by such health care professionals.
            (6) Report.--Not later than one year after the development 
        of the curricula required by subsection (b), and annually 
        thereafter, the Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver 
        Training Panel shall submit to the Secretary of Defense and the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and to Congress, a report on the 
        following:
                    (A) The actions undertaken under this subsection.
                    (B) The results of the tracking of outcomes based 
                on training developed and provided under this section.
                    (C) Recommendations for the improvement of training 
                developed and provided under this section.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Department of Defense to carry out this section 
amounts as follows:
            (1) For fiscal year 2007, $5,000,000.
            (2) For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011, such sums 
        as may be necessary.
                                 <all>
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