I 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 5152 

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a grant program 

for eligible nonprofit organizations to carry out positive psychology reconditioning programs for veterans. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 1, 2018 

Mr. NOLAN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 

on Veterans’ Affairs 

A BILL 

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a 

grant program for eligible nonprofit organizations to 

carry out positive psychology reconditioning programs 

for veterans. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY RECONDITIONING 

4 PROGRAM GRANTS. 

5 (a) GRANT PROGRAM.—The Secretary of Veterans 

6 Affairs shall establish a grant program under which the 

7 Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to carry 


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1 out positive psychology reconditioning programs for vet2 erans. 

3 (b) AMOUNT OF GRANT.—Each grant awarded by the 

4 Secretary under subsection (a) may not exceed $750,000. 

5 (c) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—An entity is eligible to re6 ceive a grant under subsection (a) if the entity is a non7 profit organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) 

8 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and that is exempt 

9 from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code. 

10 (d) PRIORITY OF AWARD.—In selecting eligible enti11 ties to award a grant under subsection (a), the Secretary 

12 shall prioritize entities that, before the date of the award, 

13 carry out programs using positive psychology recondi14 tioning techniques. 

15 (e) USE OF GRANTS.—In determining the positive 

16 psychology reconditioning techniques to be carried out 

17 under a grant awarded under subsection (a), the Secretary 

18 shall consider the following: 

19 (1) The use of an initial camaraderie and bond20 ing experience to initiate the rebuilding of veteran 

21 social relationships in one or more groups of 12 vet22 erans or less (which may be carried out simulta23 neously). 

24 (2) The use of highly qualified instructors to 

25 lead appropriate physical workouts and group disVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:43 Mar 08, 2018 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H5152.IH H5152

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1 cussion occurring not fewer than three times per 

2 week during a program period that is at least three 

3 months. 

4 (3) Programs that appropriately introduce local 

5 civilians to the veterans participating in the program 

6 and have such local civilians become participating 

7 members of the group in the program. 

8 (4) Programs that encourage the full reentry of 

9 veterans back into society and that graduate the 

10 participating veterans who are adjusted to living in 

11 a civilian world. 

12 (5) Programs that expose a group of veterans 

13 to common social experiences in the location in 

14 which the program is carried out. 

15 (6) Programs that practice positive psychology 

16 techniques, including daily gratitude journaling and 

17 mindfulness, to increase physical and mental well18 being throughout the program. 

19 (f) RECORDS.—The Secretary may not require an eli20 gible entity that is awarded a grant under subsection (a) 

21 to maintain records on veterans seeking support or partici22 pating in a program under such grant, or to report any 

23 personally identifying information directly or indirectly to 

24 the Secretary about such veterans. 


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1 (g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 

2 authorized to be appropriated a total of $15,000,000 to 

3 carry out this section during fiscal years 2019 through 

4 2021. 

5 (h) VETERAN DEFINED.—In this section, the term 

6 ‘‘veteran’’ has the meaning given that term in section 

7 101(2) of title 38, United States Code, and includes any 

8 person who is entitled under chapter 1223 of title 10, 

9 United States Code, to retired pay for nonregular service 

10 or, but for age, would be entitled under such chapter to 

11 retired pay for nonregular service. 

Æ 


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