II 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 2340 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 22, 2019 

Received 

AN ACT 

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide to 

Congress notice of any suicide or attempted suicide of 

a veteran in a Department of Veterans Affairs facility, 

and for other purposes. 

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


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
2 

HR 2340 RDS

1 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

2 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Fostering Intergovern3 mental Health Transparency in Veteran Suicides Act’’ or 

4 ‘‘FIGHT Veteran Suicides Act’’. 

5 SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL NOTICE OF SUICIDES AND AT6 TEMPTED SUICIDES OF VETERANS IN DE7 PARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FACILI8 TIES. 

9 Section 1720F of title 38, United States Code, is 

10 amended by adding at the end the following new sub11 section: 

12 ‘‘(l) CONGRESSIONAL NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.—(1) 

13 In the case of the suicide or attempted suicide of any vet14 eran that occurs in, or on the grounds of, a Department 

15 facility, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 

16 Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of Rep17 resentatives and the Senators and member of Congress 

18 representing the district in which the facility is located 

19 and the Senators and member of Congress representing 

20 the district in which the veteran resides the following no21 tices: 

22 ‘‘(A) Not later than 7 days after the date on 

23 which the suicide or attempted suicide occurs, notice 

24 of— 

25 ‘‘(i) the suicide or attempted suicide; and 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
3 

HR 2340 RDS

1 ‘‘(ii) the name of the facility and location 

2 where the suicide or attempted suicide occurred. 

3 ‘‘(B) Subject to subparagraph (C), not later 

4 than 60 days after such date, notice of the following 

5 information (if available) regarding the veteran who 

6 committed or attempted to commit suicide: 

7 ‘‘(i) The enrollment status of the veteran 

8 with respect to the patient enrollment system of 

9 the Department under section 1705 of this title. 

10 ‘‘(ii) The most recent encounter between 

11 the veteran and any employee or facility of the 

12 Veterans Health Administration before the sui13 cide or attempted suicide occurred. 

14 ‘‘(iii) Whether the veteran had other med15 ical insurance or coverage (including 

16 TRICARE, Medicare, and Medicaid). 

17 ‘‘(iv) The Armed Force in which the vet18 eran served. 

19 ‘‘(v) The time period when the veteran 

20 served in the Armed Forces. 

21 ‘‘(vi) The age of the veteran. 

22 ‘‘(vii) The marital status of the veteran. 

23 ‘‘(viii) The employment status of the vet24 eran. 

25 ‘‘(ix) The housing status of the veteran. 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
4 

HR 2340 RDS

1 ‘‘(x) The gender identity of the veteran. 

2 ‘‘(xi) The sexual orientation of the veteran. 

3 ‘‘(xii) The race of the veteran. 

4 ‘‘(xiii) Confirmation that the Secretary has 

5 provided notice to the immediate family mem6 bers of the veteran regarding any Department 

7 support or assistance for which such family 

8 members may be eligible. 

9 ‘‘(C) In collecting and reporting information 

10 under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall take all 

11 steps the Secretary determines necessary to respect 

12 the privacy and dignity of the veteran and the family 

13 of the veteran. 

14 ‘‘(2) Each notice submitted under subparagraph (A) 

15 or (B) of paragraph (1) shall include a copy of guidance 

16 developed by the Secretary for purposes of dissemination 

17 that is designed to— 

18 ‘‘(A) deter the sensationalism of suicide; 

19 ‘‘(B) provide information regarding warning 

20 signs that are often exhibited by veterans at risk of 

21 suicide; and 

22 ‘‘(C) provide notice of the resources the Depart23 ment offers to veterans who may be at risk of suiVerDate Sep 11 2014 00:09 Aug 02, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2340.RDS H2340

pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
5 

HR 2340 RDS

1 cide, including the Veterans Crisis Line and read2 justment counseling provided through Vet Centers.’’. 

Passed the House of Representatives May 21, 2019. 

Attest: CHERYL L. JOHNSON, 

Clerk. 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS