Green Star Families Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a counseling program for certain survivor of veterans deceased as the result of suicide. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Green Star Families Act 2. Counseling program for certain family members and caregivers of veterans deceased as a result of suicide (a) Counseling program Subchapter II of chapter 17 1720K. Counseling program for certain family members and caregivers of veterans deceased as a result of suicide (a) Counseling program (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall furnish, at no cost to the recipient, counseling services to— (A) the next of kin of covered veterans; and (B) former volunteer caregivers of covered veterans. (2) The Secretary may provide counseling services under this section only if the Secretary determines such counseling services are— (A) reasonably accessible to the an individual described in paragraph (1); and (B) substantially equivalent or superior to similar services furnished by the Secretary to an individual described in paragraph (1). (3) To carry out subsection (a), the Secretary may enter into an agreement with a Federal, State, or private entity. The Secretary may provide fair compensation to such entity pursuant to such agreement. (b) Public awareness In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1) publish information relating to the program on an internet website of the Department; and (2) provide information relating to the program to any individual described in paragraph (1). (c) Definitions In this section: (1) The terms covered veteran next of kin (2) The term covered veterans service organization (A) an organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of this title; and (B) an organization— (i) that is described in section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code; and (ii) that carries out activities relating to veterans and their assistance. (3) The term family member (A) who is a member of the family of the veteran, including— (i) a parent or legal guardian; (ii) a spouse; (iii) a child; (iv) a step-family member; and (v) an extended family member; or (B) who, prior to the death of the covered veteran, lived with the covered veteran. (4) The term former volunteer caregiver (A) who is at least 18 years of age; and (B) who, prior to the death of the covered veteran, and in connection with a covered veterans service organization, furnished the covered veteran with counseling, social work, or other personal care services— (i) without compensation to such individual; and (ii) for a period of at least three months. (5) The term personal care services . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of subchapter II of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting, after the item relating to section 1720J, the following new item: 1720K. Counseling program for certain family members and caregivers of veterans deceased as a result of suicide. . (c) Implementation deadline The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out section 1720K of such title, as added by subsection (a), by not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Green Star Families ActThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish counseling services to the next of kin and former volunteer caregivers of certain veterans. The VA must publish information related to the counseling program online and provide information to next of kin and former volunteer caregivers of such veterans. Generally, Green Star families are families of servicemembers and veterans who have died by suicide.