H. R. 8247 

One Hundred Sixteenth Congress 

of the 

United States of America 

AT THE SECOND SESSION 

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday, 

the third day of January, two thousand and twenty 

An Act 

To make certain improvements relating to the transition of individuals to services 

from the Department of Veterans Affairs, suicide prevention for veterans, and 

care and services for women veterans, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans 

Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act 

of 2020’’ or the ‘‘Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020’’. 

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 

is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

TITLE I—IMPROVEMENT OF TRANSITION OF INDIVIDUALS TO SERVICES 

FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

Sec. 101. Pilot program on information sharing between Department of Veterans 

Affairs and designated relatives and friends of veterans regarding assistance and benefits available to the veterans. 

Sec. 102. Annual report on Solid Start program of Department of Veterans Affairs. 

TITLE II—SUICIDE PREVENTION 

Sec. 201. Department of Veterans Affairs provision of emergent suicide care. 

Sec. 202. Education program for family members and caregivers of veterans with 

mental health disorders. 

Sec. 203. Interagency Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans. 

Sec. 204. Contact of certain veterans to encourage receipt of comprehensive medical 

examinations. 

Sec. 205. Police crisis intervention training of Department of Veterans Affairs. 

TITLE III—IMPROVEMENT OF CARE AND SERVICES FOR WOMEN 

VETERANS 

Sec. 301. Gap analysis of Department of Veterans Affairs programs that provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless. 

Sec. 302. Report on locations where women veterans are using health care from Department of Veterans Affairs. 
H. R. 8247—2 

TITLE I—IMPROVEMENT OF TRANSITION OF INDIVIDUALS TO SERVICES 

FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 

AFFAIRS 

SEC. 101. PILOT PROGRAM ON INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND DESIGNATED 

RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OF VETERANS REGARDING 

ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO THE VETERANS. 

(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date 

of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

shall commence carrying out a pilot program— 

(A) to encourage members of the Armed Forces who 

are transitioning from service in the Armed Forces to 

civilian life, before separating from such service, to designate up to 10 persons to whom information regarding 

the assistance and benefits available to the veterans under 

laws administered by the Secretary shall be disseminated 

using the contact information obtained under paragraph 

(7); and 

(B) provides such persons, within 30 days after the 

date on which such persons are designated under subparagraph (A), the option to elect to receive such information. 

(2) DURATION.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot 

program during a period beginning on the date of the 

commencement of the pilot program that is not less than two 

years. 

(3) DISSEMINATION.—The Secretary shall disseminate 

information described in paragraph (1)(A) under the pilot program no less than quarterly. 

(4) TYPES OF INFORMATION.—The types of information to 

be disseminated under the pilot program to persons who elect 

to receive such information shall include information regarding 

the following: 

(A) Services and benefits offered to veterans and their 

family members by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

(B) Challenges and stresses that might accompany 

transitioning from service in the Armed Forces to civilian 

life. 

(C) Services available to veterans and their family 

members to cope with the experiences and challenges of 

service in the Armed Forces and transition from such 

service to civilian life. 

(D) Services available through community partner 

organizations to support veterans and their family members. 

(E) Services available through Federal, State, and local 

government agencies to support veterans and their family 

members. 

(F) The environmental health registry program, health 

and wellness programs, and resources for preventing and 

managing diseases and illnesses. 
H. R. 8247—3 

(G) A toll-free telephone number through which such 

persons who elect to receive information under the pilot 

program may request information regarding the program. 

(H) Such other matters as the Secretary, in consultation with members of the Armed Forces and such persons 

who elect to receive information under the pilot program, 

determines to be appropriate. 

(5) PRIVACY OF INFORMATION.—In carrying out the pilot 

program, the Secretary may not disseminate information under 

paragraph (4) in violation of laws and regulations pertaining 

to the privacy of members of the Armed Forces, including 

requirements pursuant to— 

(A) section 552a of title 5, United States Code; and 

(B) the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–191). 

(6) NOTICE AND MODIFICATIONS.—In carrying out the pilot 

program, the Secretary shall, with respect to a veteran— 

(A) ensure that such veteran is notified of the ability 

to modify designations made by such veteran under paragraph (1)(A); and 

(B) upon the request of a veteran, authorize such veteran to modify such designations at any time. 

(7) CONTACT INFORMATION.—In making a designation under 

the pilot program, a veteran shall provide necessary contact 

information, specifically including an email address, to facilitate 

the dissemination of information regarding the assistance and 

benefits available to the veteran under laws administered by 

the Secretary. 

(8) OPT-IN AND OPT-OUT OF PILOT PROGRAM.— 

(A) OPT-IN BY MEMBERS.—A veteran may participate 

in the pilot program only if the veteran voluntarily elects 

to participate in the program. A veteran seeking to make 

such an election shall make such election in a manner, 

and by including such information, as the Secretary shall 

specify for purposes of the pilot program. 

(B) OPT-IN BY DESIGNATED RECIPIENTS.—A person designated pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) may receive information under the pilot program only if the person makes 

the election described in paragraph (1)(B). 

(C) OPT-OUT.—In carrying out the pilot program, the 

Secretary shall, with respect to a person who has elected 

to receive information under such pilot program, cease 

disseminating such information to that person upon request 

of such person. 

(b) SURVEY AND REPORT ON PILOT PROGRAM.— (1) SURVEY.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 

date of the commencement of the pilot program and not 

less frequently than once each year thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, the Secretary shall administer 

a survey to persons who ever elected to receive information 

under the pilot program for the purpose of receiving feedback regarding the quality of information disseminated 

under this section. 

(B) ELEMENTS.—Each survey conducted under subparagraph (A) shall include solicitation of the following: 

(i) Feedback on the following: 
H. R. 8247—4 

(I) The nature of information disseminated 

under the pilot program. 

(II) Satisfaction with the pilot program. 

(III) The utility of the pilot program. 

(IV) Overall pilot program successes and challenges. 

(ii) Recommendations for improving the pilot program. 

(iii) Reasons for opting in or out of the pilot program. 

(iv) Such other feedback or matters as the Secretary considers appropriate. 

(2) REPORT.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than three years after the 

date on which the pilot program commences, the Secretary 

shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of 

the House of Representatives and the Senate a final report 

on the pilot program. 

(B) CONTENTS.—The report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include the following: 

(i) The results of the survey administered under 

paragraph (1). 

(ii) The number of participants enrolled in the 

pilot program who are veterans. 

(iii) The number of persons designated under subsection (a)(1)(A). 

(iv) The number of such persons who opted in 

or out of the pilot program under subsection (a)(8). 

(v) The average period such persons remained in 

the pilot program. 

(vi) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of making the pilot program permanent. 

(vii) Identification of legislative or administrative 

action that may be necessary if the pilot program is 

made permanent. 

(viii) A plan to expand the pilot program if the 

pilot program is made permanent. 

(ix) If the Secretary finds under clause (vi) that 

making the pilot program permanent is not feasible 

or advisable, a justification for such finding. 

SEC. 102. ANNUAL REPORT ON SOLID START PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

(a) REPORTS REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days after the 

date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 

a period of five years, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 

to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House 

of Representatives a report on the Solid Start program of the 

Department of Veterans Affairs. 

(b) ELEMENTS.—Each report under subsection (a) shall include 

the following: 

(1) With respect to each veteran called or emailed under 

the Solid Start program: 

(A) The Armed Force in which the veteran served. 

(B) Age. 

(C) Gender. 

(D) Whether the veteran responded to the call or email. 
H. R. 8247—5 

(E) Whether the call or email resulted in a call to 

the Veterans Crisis Line established pursuant to section 

1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code. 

(F) Whether the call or email resulted in a referral 

to— 

(i) compensation and pension determination; 

(ii) enrollment in the patient enrollment system 

of the Department; or 

(iii) any other program or benefit under the laws 

administered by the Secretary. 

(2) Any change to the Solid Start program implemented 

by the Secretary since the date of the previous such report. 

(c) PROHIBITION ON PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION.— 

No report under subsection (a) may contain any personally identifiable information regarding a veteran. 

TITLE II—SUICIDE PREVENTION 

SEC. 201. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVISION OF EMERGENT SUICIDE CARE. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United 

States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 

section: 

‘‘§ 1720J. Emergent suicide care 

‘‘(a) EMERGENT SUICIDE CARE.—Pursuant to this section, the 

Secretary shall— 

‘‘(1) furnish emergent suicide care to an eligible individual 

at a medical facility of the Department; 

‘‘(2) pay for emergent suicide care provided to an eligible 

individual at a non-Department facility; and 

‘‘(3) reimburse an eligible individual for emergent suicide 

care provided to the eligible individual at a non-Department 

facility. 

‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.—An individual is eligible for emergent suicide 

care under subsection (a) if the individual is in an acute suicidal 

crisis and is either of the following: 

‘‘(1) A veteran (as defined in section 101). 

‘‘(2) An individual described in section 1720I(b) of this 

title. 

‘‘(c) PERIOD OF CARE.—(1) Emergent suicide care provided under 

subsection (a) shall be furnished to an eligible individual— 

‘‘(A) through inpatient or crisis residential care, for a period 

not to exceed 30 days; or 

‘‘(B) if care under subparagraph (A) is unavailable, or if 

such care is not clinically appropriate, as outpatient care for 

a period not to exceed 90 days. 

‘‘(2) If, upon the expiration of a period under paragraph (1), 

the Secretary determines that the eligible individual remains in 

an acute suicidal crisis, the Secretary may extend such period 

as the Secretary determines appropriate. 

‘‘(d) NOTIFICATION.—An eligible individual who receives emergent suicide care under subsection (a) at a non-Department facility 

(or a person acting on behalf of the individual) shall notify the 

Secretary of such care within seven days of admission to such 

facility. 
H. R. 8247—6 

‘‘(e) OUTREACH.—During any period when an eligible individual 

is receiving emergent suicide care under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— 

‘‘(1) ensure that— 

‘‘(A) in the case of an eligible individual whom the 

Veterans Crisis Line recommends to seek emergent suicide 

care at a medical facility of the Department, the Veterans 

Crisis Line notifies the Suicide Prevention Coordinator of 

such medical facility; 

‘‘(B) in the case of an eligible individual who presents 

at a medical facility of the Department in an acute suicidal 

crisis without a recommendation by the Veterans Crisis 

Line, the Secretary notifies the Suicide Prevention Coordinator; 

‘‘(C) in the case of an eligible individual whom the 

Veterans Crisis Line recommends to seek treatment at 

a non-Department facility, the Veterans Crisis Line notifies 

the Suicide Prevention Coordinator and the Office of 

Community Care at the medical facility of the Department 

located nearest to the eligible individual; and 

‘‘(D) in the case of an eligible individual who presents 

at a non-Department facility in an acute suicidal crisis 

without a recommendation by the Veterans Crisis Line 

and for whom the Secretary receives a notification under 

subsection (d), the Secretary notifies the Suicide Prevention 

Coordinator and the Office of Community Care at the medical facility of the Department located nearest to the eligible 

individual; 

‘‘(2) determine the eligibility of the eligible individual for 

other programs and benefits under the laws administered by 

the Secretary (or shall make such determination as soon as 

practicable following the period of such emergent suicide care); 

and 

‘‘(3) make referrals for care following the period of such 

emergent suicide care, as the Secretary determines appropriate. 

‘‘(f) PROHIBITION ON CHARGE.—(1) If the Secretary provides 

emergent suicide care to an eligible individual under subsection 

(a), the Secretary— 

‘‘(A) may not charge the eligible individual for any cost 

of such emergent suicide care; and 

‘‘(B) shall pay for any costs of emergency transportation 

to a facility for such emergent suicide care (as such costs 

are determined pursuant to section 1725 of this title, to the 

extent practicable). 

‘‘(2)(A) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1), if 

the Secretary pays for emergent suicide care provided under subsection (a) to an eligible individual at a non-Department facility, 

the Secretary shall reimburse the facility for the reasonable value 

of such emergent suicide care. 

‘‘(B)(i) In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary may 

determine the amount to reimburse a non-Department facility in 

a similar manner to the manner in which the Secretary determines 

reimbursement amounts for that non-Department facility for medical care and services provided under another provision of this 

chapter. 
H. R. 8247—7 

‘‘(ii) The requirements of section 1725(c)(3) of this title shall 

apply with respect to payments made under subparagraph (A) of 

this paragraph. 

‘‘(3) In the case of an eligible individual who receives emergent 

suicide care under this section and who is entitled to emergent 

suicide care (or payment for emergent suicide care) under a healthplan contract, the Secretary may recover the costs of such emergent 

suicide care provided under this section, other than for such care 

for a service-connected disability. 

‘‘(4) In carrying out subsection (d), the Secretary may not charge 

an eligible individual for any cost of emergent suicide care provided 

under subsection (a) solely by reason of the Secretary not having 

been notified of such care pursuant to such subsection. 

‘‘(g) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not less than once each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the 

Senate and the House of Representatives a report on emergent 

suicide care provided under subsection (a). Each such report shall 

include, for the year covered by the report— 

‘‘(1) the number of eligible individuals who received emergent suicide care under subsection (a); 

‘‘(2) demographic information regarding eligible individuals 

described in paragraph (1); 

‘‘(3) the types of care furnished or paid for this section; 

and 

‘‘(4) the total cost of providing care under subsection (a). 

‘‘(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

‘‘(1) The term ‘acute suicidal crisis’ means that an individual was determined to be at imminent risk of self-harm 

by a trained crisis responder or health care provider. 

‘‘(2) The term ‘crisis residential care’ means crisis stabilization care provided— 

‘‘(A) in a residential setting; and 

‘‘(B) in a facility other than a hospital. 

‘‘(3) The term ‘crisis stabilization care’ includes, with 

respect to an individual in acute suicidal crisis, care that 

ensures, to the extent practicable, immediate safety and 

reduces— 

‘‘(A) the severity of distress; 

‘‘(B) the need for urgent care; or 

‘‘(C) the likelihood that the distress under subparagraph (A) or need under subparagraph (B) will increase 

during the transfer of that individual from a facility at 

which the individual has received care for that acute 

suicidal crisis. 

‘‘(4) The term ‘emergent suicide care’ means crisis stabilization care provided to an eligible individual— 

‘‘(A) pursuant to a recommendation of the eligible individual from the Veterans Crisis Line; or 

‘‘(B) who presents at a medical facility in an acute 

suicidal crisis. 

‘‘(5) The term ‘health-plan contract’ has the meaning given 

such term in section 1725 of this title. 

‘‘(6) The term ‘Veterans Crisis Line’ means the hotline 

under section 1720F(h) of this title.’’. 
H. R. 8247—8 

(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relation 

to section 1720I the following new item: 

‘‘1720J. Emergent suicide care.’’. 

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The Secretary shall furnish or pay for 

emergent suicide care under section 1720J of title 38, United States 

Code, as added by subsection (a), beginning on the date that is 

270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 

SEC. 202. EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND CAREGIVERS OF VETERANS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 270 days after the date 

of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

shall establish an education program (in this section referred to 

as the ‘‘education program’’) for the education and training of caregivers and family members of eligible veterans with mental health 

disorders. 

(b) EDUCATION PROGRAM.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Under the education program, the Secretary shall provide a course of education to caregivers and 

family members of eligible veterans on matters relating to 

coping with mental health disorders in veterans. 

(2) DURATION.—The Secretary shall carry out the education 

program during the four-year period beginning on the date 

of the commencement of the education program. 

(3) SCOPE.— 

(A) CAREGIVERS.—The Secretary, with respect to the 

component of the education program that relates to the 

education and training of caregivers, shall— 

(i) include such component in the training provided 

pursuant to the program of comprehensive assistance 

for family caregivers of the Department of Veterans 

Affairs established under section 1720G(a) of title 38, 

United States Code; and 

(ii) make such component available on the Internet 

website of the Department that relates to caregiver 

training. 

(B) FAMILY MEMBERS.—The Secretary shall carry out 

the component of the education program that relates to 

the education and training of non-caregiver family members 

at facilities of the Department as follows: 

(i) Not less than five medical centers of the Department. 

(ii) Not less than five clinics of the Department. 

(iii) Not less than five Vet Centers (as defined 

in section 1712A(h) of title 38, United States Code). 

(C) SOLICITATION OF APPLICATIONS.—In selecting locations pursuant to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall 

solicit applications from eligible facilities of the Department 

that are interested in carrying out the education program. 

(D) CONSIDERATIONS.—In selecting locations pursuant 

to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall consider the feasibility and advisability of selecting locations in the following 

areas: 

(i) Rural areas. 
H. R. 8247—9 

(ii) Areas that are not in close proximity to an 

active duty installation. 

(iii) Areas in different geographic locations. 

(4) CONTRACTS.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the education program, the Secretary shall enter into contracts with qualified 

entities described in subparagraph (B) to offer the course 

of education described in paragraph (5) to family members 

and caregivers of eligible veterans and covered veterans. 

(B) QUALIFIED ENTITY DESCRIBED.—A qualified entity 

described in this subparagraph is a non-profit entity with 

experience in mental health education and outreach, 

including work with children, teens, and young adults, 

that— 

(i) uses high quality, relevant, and age-appropriate 

information in educational programming, materials, 

and coursework, including such programming, materials, and coursework for children, teens, and young 

adults; and 

(ii) works with agencies, departments, nonprofit 

mental health organizations, early childhood educators, 

and mental health providers to develop educational 

programming, materials, and coursework. 

(C) PRIORITY.—In entering into contracts under this 

paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to qualified 

entities that have demonstrated cultural competence in 

serving military and veteran populations, and, to the extent 

practicable, use internet technology for the delivery of 

course content in an effort to expand the availability of 

support services, especially in rural areas. 

(5) COURSE OF EDUCATION DESCRIBED.—The course of education described in this paragraph shall consist of curriculum 

that includes the following: 

(A) General education on different mental health disorders, including information to improve understanding of 

the experiences of individuals suffering from such disorders. 

(B) Techniques for handling crisis situations and 

administering mental health first aid to individuals suffering from a mental health disorder. 

(C) Techniques for coping with the stress of living 

with an individual suffering from a mental health disorder. 

(D) Information on additional services available for 

family members and caregivers through the Department 

or community organizations and providers related to 

mental health disorders. 

(E) Such other matters as the Secretary considers 

appropriate. 

(c) SURVEYS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive survey of the satisfaction of individuals that have participated in the course of education described in subsection (b)(5). 

Such survey shall include a solicitation of feedback on the 

following: 

(A) The general satisfaction of those individuals with 

the education and assistance provided under the education 

program. 
H. R. 8247—10 

(B) The perceived effectiveness of the education program in providing education and assistance that is useful 

for those individuals. 

(C) The applicability of the education program to the 

issues faced by those individuals. 

(D) Such other matters as the Secretary considers 

appropriate. 

(2) COMPILATION OF INFORMATION.—The information compiled as a result of the surveys conducted under paragraph 

(1) shall be— 

(A) disaggregated by facility type at which the education program was carried out; and 

(B) included in the annual reports under subsection 

(d)(1). 

(d) REPORTS.— 

(1) ANNUAL REPORTS.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 

date of the commencement of the education program and 

not later than September 30 each year thereafter until 

2024, 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— 

(i) the education program; and 

(ii) the feasibility and advisability of expanding 

the education program to include the establishment 

of a peer support program composed of individuals 

who complete the education program (in this section 

referred to as a ‘‘peer support program’’). 

(B) ELEMENTS.—Each report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include the following: 

(i) The number of individuals that participated 

in the course of education described in subsection (b)(5) 

during the year preceding the submission of the report. 

(ii) A detailed analysis of the surveys conducted 

under subsection (c) with respect to the individuals 

described in clause (i). 

(iii) Any plans for expansion of the education program. 

(iv) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability 

of establishing a peer support program. 

(v) The interim findings and conclusions of the 

Secretary with respect to the success of the education 

program and the feasibility and advisability of establishing a peer support program. 

(2) FINAL REPORT.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 

completion of the education program, the Secretary shall 

submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 

of Representatives and the Senate a final report on the 

feasibility and advisability of continuing the education program. 

(B) ELEMENTS.—The final report under subparagraph 

(A) shall include the following: 

(i) A detailed analysis of the surveys conducted 

under subsection (c). 

(ii) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability 

of continuing the education program without entering 
H. R. 8247—11 

into contracts for the course of education described 

in subsection (b)(5). 

(iii) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability 

of expanding the education program. 

(iv) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability 

of establishing a peer support program. 

(e) MONITORING OF PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall select 

mental health care providers of the Department to monitor the 

progress of the instruction provided under the education program. 

(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

(1) The term ‘‘eligible veteran’’ means a veteran who is 

enrolled in the health care system established under section 

1705(a) of title 38, United States Code. 

(2) The terms ‘‘caregiver’’ and ‘‘family member’’ have the 

meaning given those terms in section 1720G(d) of title 38, 

United States Code. 

SEC. 203. INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE ON OUTDOOR RECREATION FOR 

VETERANS. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 

on which the national emergency declared by the President pursuant to the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) with 

respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) expires, the 

Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a task force to be 

known as the ‘‘Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans’’ 

(in this section referred to as the ‘‘Task Force’’). 

(b) COMPOSITION.—The Task Force shall be composed of the 

following members or their designees: 

(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 

(2) The Secretary of the Interior. 

(3) The Secretary of Health and Human Services. 

(4) The Secretary of Agriculture. 

(5) The Secretary of Defense. 

(6) The Secretary of Homeland Security. 

(7) The Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers. 

(8) At least two representatives from veterans service 

organizations. 

(9) Any other member that the Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs determines to be appropriate. 

(c) CHAIRPERSONS.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the 

Secretary of the Interior shall serve as co-chairpersons of the Task 

Force (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Chairpersons’’). 

(d) DUTIES.— 

(1) TASK FORCE.—The duties of the Task Force shall be— 

(A) to identify opportunities to formalize coordination 

between the Department of Veterans Affairs, public land 

agencies, and partner organizations regarding the use of 

public lands and other outdoor spaces for facilitating health 

and wellness for veterans; 

(B) to identify barriers that exist to providing veterans 

with opportunities to augment the delivery of services for 

health and wellness through the use of outdoor recreation 

on public lands and other outdoor spaces; and 

(C) to develop recommendations to better facilitate the 

use of public lands and other outdoor spaces for promoting 

wellness and facilitating the delivery of health care and 

therapeutic interventions for veterans. 
H. R. 8247—12 

(2) CONSULTATION.—The Task Force shall carry out the 

duties under paragraph (1) in consultation with appropriate 

veterans outdoor recreation groups. 

(e) REPORTS.— 

(1) PRELIMINARY REPORT.—Not later than one year after 

the date on which the Task Force is established, the Chairpersons shall submit to Congress a report on the preliminary 

findings of the Task Force. 

(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 

of the submission of the preliminary report under paragraph 

(1), the Chairpersons shall submit to Congress a report on 

the findings of the Task Force, which shall include the recommendations developed under subsection (d)(1)(C). 

(f) DURATION.—The Task Force shall terminate on the date 

that is one year after the date of the submission of the final 

report in subsection (e)(2). 

(g) NONAPPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.— 

The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 

apply to the Task Force. 

(h) PUBLIC LANDS DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘public 

lands’’ means any recreational lands under the jurisdiction of the 

Federal Government or a State or local government. 

SEC. 204. CONTACT OF CERTAIN VETERANS TO ENCOURAGE RECEIPT 

OF COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS. 

(a) NOTICE.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the 

enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall seek to contact each covered veteran 

by mail, telephone, or email to encourage each covered veteran 

to receive medical examinations including the following: 

(1) A comprehensive physical examination. 

(2) A comprehensive mental health examination. 

(3) A comprehensive eye examination if the covered veteran 

has not received such an examination in the year immediately 

preceding the date of such examination. 

(4) A comprehensive audiological examination if the covered 

veteran has not received such an examination in the year 

immediately preceding the date of such examination. 

(b) EXAMINATIONS.— 

(1) VA HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.—If a covered veteran elects 

to receive more than one examination described in subsection 

(a) at a health care facility of the Department of Veterans 

Affairs, the Under Secretary of Health shall seek to furnish 

all such scheduled examinations on the same day. 

(2) COMMUNITY CARE.—Pursuant to subsection (d) or (e) 

of section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, a covered veteran 

may receive an examination described in subsection (a) from 

a health care provider described in subsection (c) of that section. 

(c) TRANSPORTATION.— 

(1) BENEFICIARY TRAVEL PROGRAM.—Pursuant to section 

111 of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs may pay for a rural covered veteran to travel to a 

health care facility to receive an examination described in subsection (a). 

(2) SHUTTLE SERVICE.—The Under Secretary of Health shall 

seek to enter into agreements with non-profit organizations 
H. R. 8247—13 

to provide shuttle service to rural covered veterans for examinations described in subsection (a). 

(d) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 18 months after the 

date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

shall submit to Congress a report regarding how many covered 

veterans scheduled examinations described in subsection (a) after 

receiving a letter, telephone call, or email under that subsection. 

(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

(1) The term ‘‘covered veteran’’ means a veteran who— 

(A) is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of 

the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 

of title 38, United States Code; and 

(B) has not received health care furnished or paid 

for by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs during the two 

years immediately preceding the date in subsection (a)(1). 

(2) The term ‘‘rural covered veteran’’ means a covered veteran— 

(A) who lives in an area served by the Office of Rural 

Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and 

(B) whom the Under Secretary of Health determines 

requires assistance to travel to a health care facility to 

receive an examination described in subsection (a). 

(3) The term ‘‘veteran’’ has the meaning given that term 

in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. 

SEC. 205. POLICE CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING OF DEPARTMENT 

OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

(a) TRAINING.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide 

to Department police officers an annual training on the prevention 

of suicide among the population served by the Department police 

officers. 

(b) CURRICULUM.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary 

shall update any similar training provided before the date of the 

enactment of this Act to ensure that the curriculum for the training 

addresses, at a minimum, the following: 

(1) Effective behavioral science procedures for suicide 

prevention and risk mitigation. 

(2) Crisis intervention and de-escalation skills, including 

through the use of interactive training. 

(3) Information about mental health and substance abuse 

disorders. 

(4) Information about local law enforcement crisis intervention teams and other resources for veterans experiencing mental 

health crises available by the Department of Veterans Affairs, 

other elements of the Federal Government, and the community 

in which the police officers serve. 

(c) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall ensure that the annual 

training provided to Department police officers at a medical facility 

of the Department under subsection (a) is provided in consultation 

with law enforcement training accreditation organizations and the 

mental health experts at such facility. 

(d) PLAN ON COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.—The Secretary shall 

ensure that each police force of a facility of the Department develops 

a plan to enter into partnerships with— 

(1) local community mental health organizations and 

experts, local community veterans organizations, and local 

community criminal justice organizations and experts; and 
H. R. 8247—14 

(2) local police departments, including by facilitating the 

sharing of training resources with crisis intervention teams 

of the local police departments. 

(e) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date of the 

enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees 

on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate 

a report on the annual training under subsection (a), including— 

(1) a description of the curriculum of such training; 

(2) with respect to the year preceding the date of the 

report— 

(A) the number of facilities of the Department that 

conducted such training; 

(B) the number of Department police officers who 

received such training; and 

(C) any barriers to ensuring that each Department 

police officer receives such training; 

(3) any recommendations to address the barriers identified 

under paragraph (2)(C); and 

(4) the number of facilities of the Department that have 

entered into partnerships pursuant to subsection (d). 

(f) DEPARTMENT POLICE OFFICER DEFINED.—In this section, 

the term ‘‘Department police officer’’ means an employee of the 

Department of Veterans Affairs specified in section 902(a) of title 

38, United States Code. 

TITLE III—IMPROVEMENT OF CARE 

AND SERVICES FOR WOMEN VETERANS 

SEC. 301. GAP ANALYSIS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO WOMEN VETERANS 

WHO ARE HOMELESS. 

(a) ANALYSIS.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall complete 

an analysis of programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs 

that provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless or 

precariously housed to identify the areas in which such programs 

are failing to meet the needs of such women. 

(b) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days after the date of the 

enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees 

on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate 

a report on the analysis completed under subsection (a). 

SEC. 302. REPORT ON LOCATIONS WHERE WOMEN VETERANS ARE 

USING HEALTH CARE FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 

AFFAIRS. 

(a) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the 

enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of 

Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ 

Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report 

on the use by women veterans of health care from the Department 

of Veterans Affairs. 

(b) ELEMENTS.—Each report required by subsection (a) shall 

include the following information: 

(1) The number of women veterans who reside in each 

State. 
H. R. 8247—15 

(2) The number of women veterans in each State who 

are enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department 

under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code. 

(3) Of the women veterans who are so enrolled, the number 

who have received health care under the laws administered 

by the Secretary at least one time during the one-year period 

preceding the submission of the report. 

(4) The number of women veterans who have been seen 

at each medical facility of the Department during such year, 

disaggregated by facility. 

(5) The number of appointments that women veterans have 

had at a medical facility of the Department during such year, 

disaggregated by— 

(A) facility; and 

(B) appointments for— 

(i) primary care; 

(ii) specialty care; and 

(iii) mental health care. 

(6) For each appointment type specified in paragraph (5)(B), 

the number of appointments completed in-person and the 

number of appointments completed through the use of telehealth. 

(7) If known, an identification of the medical facility of 

the Department in each Veterans Integrated Service Network 

with the largest rate of increase in patient population of women 

veterans as measured by the increase in unique women veteran 

patient use. 

(8) If known, an identification of the medical facility of 

the Department in each Veterans Integrated Service Network 

with the largest rate of decrease in patient population of women 

veterans as measured by the decrease in unique women veterans patient use. 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.