I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1290 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program 
under which the Department of Veterans Affairs refers veterans experi-
encing mental health crises to approved non-Department mental health 
care providers, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 13, 2025 
Mr. BUCHANAN (for himself and Mr. MURPHY) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out 
a pilot program under which the Department of Veterans 
Affairs refers veterans experiencing mental health crises 
to approved non-Department mental health care pro-
viders, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans Mental 
Health Crisis Referral Enhancement Act of 2025’’. 
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SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PRO-
GRAM ON MENTAL HEALTH REFERRALS. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM.—Beginning not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a three-year pilot 
program under which Vet Centers and medical facilities 
of the Department provide veterans experiencing mental 
health crises with referrals to non-Department mental 
health care providers approved by the Secretary. 
(b) LOCATIONS.—The Secretary shall select at least 
three geographic locations at which to carry out the pilot 
program required under subsection (a). 
(c) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out the pilot pro-
gram under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— 
(1) develop and maintain a referral system to 
connect veterans experiencing mental health crises 
with non-Department mental health care providers 
within one week; 
(2) develop criteria for the approval of non-De-
partment mental health care providers for purposes 
of referrals under the program; 
(3) hire any additional employees required to 
facilitate referrals under the system; and 
(4) provide appropriate training to employees of 
Vet Centers and medical facilities of the Department 
on the referral system. 
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(d) REPORTS.— 
(1) ANNUAL
REPORTS.—Not later than six 
months after the last day of each year during which 
the Secretary carries out the pilot program under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the implementation and outcomes 
of the pilot program. Each such report shall include 
the following for the year covered by the report: 
(A) The number of veterans referred to 
non-Department mental health care providers 
under the pilot program. 
(B) The average wait time for a veteran to 
receive mental health care after receiving a re-
ferral under the pilot program. 
(C) An evaluation of veteran satisfaction 
with the mental health care received through 
the referral system. 
(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 180 days 
after the conclusion of the pilot program, the Sec-
retary shall submit to Congress a final report con-
taining an evaluation of the effectiveness of the pro-
gram and the recommendations of the Secretary 
with respect to expanding or modifying the referral 
system developed under the program. 
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(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out the pilot pro-
gram required under subsection (a) $3,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2025 through 2027. 
Æ 
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