H. R. 2617—1050 
(f) REPORTS ON IMPLEMENTATION.— 
(1) FIRST REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a report on the following: 
(A) An assessment of implementing subsection (c), 
including— 
(i) strategies to increase Veterans Justice Outreach 
specialists responsible for supporting justice-involved 
veterans in rural, remote, or underserved areas; and 
(ii) the progress of the Secretary in addressing 
gaps in the workforce of the Veterans Justice Outreach 
Program identified pursuant to paragraph (2) of such 
subsection. 
(B) The performance goals and implementation plans 
established under subsection (d)(1). 
(2) SUBSEQUENT REPORT.—Not later than three years after 
the date on which the first report is submitted under paragraph 
(1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the 
progress of the Secretary in meeting the performance goals 
and carrying out activities under the implementation plans 
established under subsection (d)(1). 
(g) REPORT ON VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS.—Not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, 
in consultation with the Attorney General, shall submit to Congress 
a report on the engagement of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
with veterans treatment courts, including— 
(1) the availability and efficacy of veterans treatment courts 
in meeting the needs of justice-involved veterans; 
(2) best practices for Department of Veterans Affairs staff 
and justice-involved veterans in working with veterans treat-
ment courts; and 
(3) the ability of justice-involved veterans to access veterans 
treatment courts, including any barriers that exist to increasing 
such access. 
(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘justice-involved veteran’’ means a veteran 
with active, ongoing, or recent contact with some component 
of a local criminal justice system. 
(2) The term ‘‘Veterans Justice Outreach Program’’ means 
the program through which the Department of Veterans Affairs 
identifies justice-involved veterans and provides such veterans 
with access to Department services. 
(3) The term ‘‘Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist’’ means 
an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs who serves 
as a liaison between the Department and the local criminal 
justice system on behalf of a justice-involved veteran. 
(4) The term ‘‘veterans treatment court’’ means a State 
or local court that is participating in the veterans treatment 
court program (as defined in section 2991(i)(1) of the Omnibus 
Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
3797aa(i)(1))). 
SEC. 303. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS GOVERNORS CHAL-
LENGE PROGRAM. 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into agreements 
with States, territories, and American Indian and Alaska Native
H. R. 2617—1051 
tribes for the development and implementation of veteran suicide 
prevention proposals through the Governors Challenge Program. 
TITLE IV—MENTAL HEALTH CARE 
DELIVERY 
SEC. 401. EXPANSION OF PEER SPECIALIST SUPPORT PROGRAM OF 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) EXPANSION.—Section 506 of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 
(Public Law 115–182; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) through (f) as sub-
sections (e) through (g); 
(2) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following 
new sentence: ‘‘Each such peer specialist shall be a full-time 
employee whose primary function is to serve as a peer specialist 
and shall be in addition to all other employees of such medical 
center.’’; 
(3) in the heading of subsection (b), by striking ‘‘TIME-
FRAME’’ and inserting ‘‘INITIAL TIMEFRAME’’; 
(4) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘SELECTION’’ and 
inserting ‘‘INITIAL SELECTION’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘The Secretary shall’’ 
and inserting ‘‘In establishing the program at initial loca-
tions, the Secretary shall’’; 
(5) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(d) TIMEFRAME FOR EXPANSION OF PROGRAM; SELECTION OF 
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) TIMEFRAME FOR EXPANSION.—The Secretary shall make 
permanent and expand the program to additional medical cen-
ters of the Department as follows: 
‘‘(A) As of the date of the enactment of the STRONG 
Veterans Act of 2022, the Secretary shall make such pro-
gram permanent at each medical center participating in 
the program on the day before such date of enactment. 
‘‘(B) During the seven-year period following such date 
of enactment, the Secretary shall expand the program to 
an additional 25 medical centers per year until the program 
is carried out at each medical center of the Department. 
‘‘(2) SELECTION
OF
ADDITIONAL
LOCATIONS.—In selecting 
medical centers for the expansion of the program under para-
graph (1)(B), until such time as each medical center of the 
Department is participating in the program by establishing 
not fewer than two peer specialists at the medical center, 
the Secretary shall prioritize medical centers in the following 
areas: 
‘‘(A) Rural areas and other areas that are underserved 
by the Department. 
‘‘(B) Areas that are not in close proximity to an active 
duty military installation. 
‘‘(C) Areas representing different geographic locations, 
such as census tracts established by the Bureau of the 
Census.’’; 
(6) in subsection (e), as redesignated by paragraph (1)—
H. R. 2617—1052 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘GENDER-SPECIFIC SERV-
ICES’’ and inserting ‘‘CONSIDERATIONS
FOR HIRING PEER 
SPECIALISTS’’; 
(B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘location selected under subsection (c)’’ and inserting ‘‘med-
ical center’’; 
(C) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
and 
(D) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the fol-
lowing new paragraph (2): 
‘‘(2) female peer specialists are hired and made available 
to support female veterans who are treated at each medical 
center.’’; and 
(7) by amending subsection (g), as redesignated by para-
graph (1), to read as follows: 
‘‘(g) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) PERIODIC REPORTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of the STRONG Veterans Act of 
2022, and annually thereafter for five years, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives and the Senate a report 
on the program, including the expansion of the program 
under subsection (d)(1). 
‘‘(B) ELEMENTS.—Each report under subparagraph (A) 
shall include, with respect to the one-year period preceding 
the submission of the report, the following: 
‘‘(i) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary 
with respect to the program. 
‘‘(ii) An assessment of the benefits of the program 
to veterans and family members of veterans. 
‘‘(iii) An assessment of the effectiveness of peer 
specialists in engaging under subsection (f) with health 
care providers in the community and veterans served 
by such providers. 
‘‘(iv) The name and location of each medical center 
where new peer specialists were hired. 
‘‘(v) The number of new peer specialists hired at 
each medical center pursuant to this section and the 
total number of peer specialists within the Department 
hired pursuant to this section. 
‘‘(vi) An assessment of any barriers confronting 
the recruitment, training, or retention of peer special-
ists. 
‘‘(2) FINAL
REPORT.—Not later than one year after the 
Secretary determines that the program is being carried out 
at each medical center of the Department, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives and the Senate a report notifying such 
committees of such determination.’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs to imple-
ment section 506 of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (Public Law 
115–182; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note), as amended by subsection (a), the 
following amounts: 
(1) $3,600,000 for fiscal year 2022. 
(2) $7,200,000 for fiscal year 2023.
H. R. 2617—1053 
(3) $10,800,000 for fiscal year 2024. 
(4) $14,400,000 for fiscal year 2025. 
(5) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2026. 
(6) $21,600,000 for fiscal year 2027. 
(7) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2028. 
SEC. 402. EXPANSION OF VET CENTER SERVICES. 
(a) VETERANS AND MEMBERS USING EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
BENEFITS.—Section 1712A of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘clauses (i) through (vi)’’ both places it 
appears and inserting ‘‘clauses (i) through (vii)’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘in clause (vii)’’ both places it appears and 
inserting ‘‘in clause (viii)’’; 
(3) in subsection (a)(1)(C)— 
(A) by redesignating clause (vii) as clause (viii); and 
(B) by inserting after clause (vi) the following new 
clause: 
‘‘(vii) Any veteran or member of the Armed Forces pursuing 
a course of education using covered educational assistance bene-
fits.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(6) The term ‘covered educational assistance benefits’ 
means educational assistance benefits provided pursuant to— 
‘‘(A) chapter 30, 31, 32, or 33 of this title; 
‘‘(B) chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10; 
‘‘(C) section 116 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans 
Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–48; 
38 U.S.C. 3001 note); or 
‘‘(D) section 8006 of the American Rescue Plan Act 
of 2021 (Public Law 117–2; 38 U.S.C. 3001 note prec.).’’. 
(b) GAO REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate a report assessing— 
(1) the mental health needs of veterans pursuing a course 
of education using covered educational assistance benefits (as 
defined in section 1712A(h)(6) of title 38, United States Code, 
as added by subsection (a)); and 
(2) the efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
address such mental health needs. 
SEC. 403. ELIGIBILITY FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1712A(a)(1) of title 38, United States 
Code, as amended by section 402, is further amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)(ii)— 
(A) in subclause (I), by striking ‘‘and’’; 
(B) in subclause (II), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(III) in the case of a veteran or member who died 
by suicide, to the degree that counseling furnished to such 
individual is found to aid in coping with the effects of 
such suicide.’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (B)(i)(II)— 
(A) in item (aa), by striking ‘‘or’’;
H. R. 2617—1054 
(B) in item (bb), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following; 
‘‘(cc) coping with the effects of a suicide described 
in subclause (III) of such clause.’’; and 
(3) in subparagraph (C)(vii)— 
(A) in subclause (I), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end; 
(B) in subclause (II), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(III) veteran or member of the Armed Forces who 
died by suicide.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 
(a) shall apply with respect to family members of a member or 
veteran who died by suicide before, on, or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 404. MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATIONS. 
(a) MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATIONS FOR VETERANS FILING FOR 
COMPENSATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter VI of chapter 11 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section: 
‘‘§ 1167. Mental health consultations 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the date on 
which a veteran submits to the Secretary a claim for compensation 
under this chapter for a service-connected disability relating to 
a mental health diagnosis, the Secretary shall offer the veteran 
a mental health consultation to assess the mental health needs 
of, and care options for, the veteran. 
‘‘(b) AVAILABILITY.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) offer a veteran a consultation under subsection (a) 
without regard to any previous denial or approval of a claim 
of that veteran for a service-connected disability relating to 
a mental health diagnosis; and 
‘‘(2) ensure that a veteran offered a mental health consulta-
tion under subsection (a) may elect to receive such consultation 
during the one-year period beginning on the date on which 
the consultation is offered or during such longer period begin-
ning on such date as the Secretary considers appropriate. 
‘‘(c) RULE
OF CONSTRUCTION.—A consultation provided to a 
veteran under this section shall not be construed as a determination 
that any disability of such veteran is service-connected for the 
purposes of any benefit under the laws administered by the Sec-
retary.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 11 of such title is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item: 
‘‘1167. Mental health consultations.’’. 
(b) MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATIONS FOR VETERANS ENTERING 
HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE PROGRAMS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Subchapter VII of chapter 20 of title 
38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section:
H. R. 2617—1055 
‘‘§ 2068. Mental health consultations 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than two weeks after the date 
on which a veteran described in subsection (b) enters into a program 
administered by the Homeless Programs Office of the Department, 
the Secretary shall offer the veteran a mental health consultation 
to assess the health needs of, and care options for, the veteran. 
‘‘(b) VETERAN DESCRIBED.—A veteran described in this sub-
section is a veteran to whom a mental health consultation is not 
offered or provided through the case management services of the 
program of the Homeless Programs Office into which the veteran 
enters.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 20 of such title is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item: 
‘‘2068. Mental health consultations.’’. 
TITLE V—RESEARCH 
SEC. 501. VETERANS INTEGRATION TO ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP PRO-
GRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representa-
tives and the Senate a report on the Veterans Integration to Aca-
demic Leadership program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
The report shall include the following: 
(1) The number of medical centers of the Department, 
institutions of higher learning, non-college degree programs, 
and student veterans supported by the program, and relevant 
trends since the program began. 
(2) The staff and resources allocated to the program, and 
relevant trends since the program began. 
(3) An assessment of the outcomes and effectiveness of 
the program in— 
(A) supporting student veterans; 
(B) connecting student veterans to needed services of 
the Department or services provided by non-Department 
entities; 
(C) addressing the mental health needs of student 
veterans; 
(D) lowering the suicide risk of student veterans; and 
(E) helping student veterans achieve educational goals. 
(4) An assessment of barriers to expanding the program 
and how the Secretary intends to address such barriers. 
(5) An assessment of whether the program should be 
expanded outside of the Office of Mental Health and Suicide 
Prevention to support students veterans with needs unrelated 
to mental health or suicide. 
(b) UNIFORM BEST PRACTICES, GOALS, AND MEASURES.—The 
Secretary shall establish best practices, goals, and measures for 
the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program of the 
Department that are uniform among the medical centers of the 
Department. 
(c) OUTREACH.—The Secretary shall conduct outreach among 
the Armed Forces, veterans service organizations, institutions of 
higher learning, and non-college degree programs with respect to
H. R. 2617—1056 
the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program of the 
Department. 
(d) ASSESSMENT.—The Secretary shall assess the feasibility and 
advisability of including the suicide rate for student veterans in 
the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report of the 
Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention of the Department. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘institution of higher learning’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 3452 of title 38, United 
States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘student veteran’’ means the following: 
(A) A veteran or member of the Armed Forces using 
educational assistance under any of the following provisions 
of law: 
(i) Chapter 30, 31, 32, or 33 of title 38, United 
States Code, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, United 
States Code. 
(ii) Section 116 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans 
Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115– 
48; 38 U.S.C. 3001 note). 
(iii) Section 8006 of the American Rescue Plan 
Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–2; 38 U.S.C. 3001 note 
prec.). 
(B) A veteran who is enrolled in an institution of 
higher learning or other training program, without regard 
to whether the veteran is using educational assistance 
specified in subparagraph (A). 
SEC. 502. IMPROVEMENT OF SLEEP DISORDER CARE FURNISHED BY 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Pursuant to the analysis conducted under 
subsection (b), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take such 
action as the Secretary considers appropriate to improve the assess-
ment and treatment of veterans with sleep disorders, including 
by conducting in-home sleep studies for veterans. 
(b) ANALYSIS.—The Secretary shall conduct an analysis of the 
ability of the Department of Veterans Affairs to treat sleep disorders 
among veterans, including— 
(1) assessment and treatment options for such disorders; 
(2) barriers to care for such disorders, such as wait time, 
travel time, and lack of staffing; 
(3) the efficacy of the clinical practice guidelines of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense 
for such disorders; and 
(4) the availability of and efficacy of the use by the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs of cognitive behavioral therapy for 
insomnia. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than two years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, 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— 
(1) the findings from the analysis conducted under sub-
section (b); and 
(2) any actions taken under subsection (a) to improve the 
assessment and treatment of veterans with sleep disorders. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR IN-HOME SLEEP 
STUDIES.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
H. R. 2617—1057 
of Veterans Affairs $5,000,000 to be used to conduct in-home sleep 
studies for veterans, as part of sleep disorder assessment and 
treatment conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
SEC. 503. STUDY ON INPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE 
USE CARE FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
complete the conduct of a study on access of veterans to care 
under the residential rehabilitation treatment programs of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs to determine— 
(1) if there are sufficient geographic offerings of inpatient 
mental health care, especially for veterans in rural and remote 
communities; 
(2) if there are sufficient bed spaces at each location, based 
on demand and drive time from the homes of veterans; 
(3) if there are any workforce-related capacity limitations 
at each location, including if beds are unable to be used because 
there are not enough providers to care for additional patients; 
(4) if there are diagnosis-specific or sex-specific barriers 
to accessing care under such programs; and 
(5) the average wait time for a bed in such a program, 
broken out by— 
(A) Veterans Integrated Service Network; 
(B) rural or urban area; 
(C) sex; and 
(D) specialty (general program, substance use disorder 
program, military sexual trauma program, etc.). 
(b) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MODIFICATIONS TO TREATMENT PRO-
GRAMS.—Using the results from the study conducted under sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall make recommendations for— 
(1) new locations for opening facilities to participate in 
the residential rehabilitation treatment programs of the Depart-
ment; 
(2) facilities under such programs at which new beds can 
be added; and 
(3) any additional specialty tracks to be added to such 
programs, such as substance use disorder or military sexual 
trauma, in order to meet veteran need and demand. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after completion of the 
study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the 
findings of the study conducted under subsection (a) and the rec-
ommendations made by the Secretary under subsection (b). 
SEC. 504. STUDY ON TREATMENT FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS FOR CO-OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUB-
STANCE USE DISORDERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
conduct a study examining— 
(1) the availability of treatment programs for veterans with 
co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders 
(including both inpatient and outpatient care); 
(2) any geographic disparities in access to such programs, 
such as for rural and remote veterans; and 
(3) the average wait times for care under such programs.
H. R. 2617—1058 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than two years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, 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 the findings of the study conducted under subsection 
(a). 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include— 
(A) any recommendations resulting from the study con-
ducted under subsection (a) with respect to improving time-
liness and quality of care and meeting treatment pref-
erences for veterans with co-occurring mental health and 
substance use disorders; and 
(B) a description of any actions taken by the Secretary 
to improve care for such veterans. 
SEC. 505. STUDY ON WORKLOAD OF SUICIDE PREVENTION TEAMS OF 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting 
through the Under Secretary for Health and the Office of Mental 
Health and Suicide Prevention, shall conduct a study evaluating 
the workload of local suicide prevention teams of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study conducted under subsection (a) 
shall— 
(1) identify the effects of the growth of the suicide preven-
tion program of the Department on the workload of suicide 
prevention teams; 
(2) incorporate key practices for staffing model design in 
determining suicide prevention staffing needs; and 
(3) determine which facilities of the Department need 
increased suicide prevention coordinator staffing to meet the 
needs of veterans, with an emphasis placed on facilities with 
high patient volume and facilities located in States with high 
rates of veteran suicide. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, 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— 
(1) on the findings of the study conducted under subsection 
(a); and 
(2) indicating any changes made to the staffing of suicide 
prevention teams of the Department resulting from the deter-
minations made under subsection (b)(3), including a list of 
facilities of the Department where staffing was adjusted. 
SEC. 506. EXPANSION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH 
RESEARCH. 
(a) RESEARCH ON MORAL INJURY.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, acting through the Office of Research and Development 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs, shall conduct suicide preven-
tion and mental health care improvement research on how moral 
injury relates to the mental health needs of veterans who served 
in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, and best practices 
for mental health treatment for such veterans.
H. R. 2617—1059 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs an addi-
tional $10,000,000 to be used by the Center of Excellence for Suicide 
Prevention of the Department and the Rocky Mountain Mental 
Illness Research Education and Clinical Center for purposes of 
conducting research on the factors impacting veteran suicide and 
best practices for early intervention and support. 
SEC. 507. STUDY ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION SUP-
PORT FOR MILITARY FAMILIES. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in 
collaboration with the Secretary of Defense, shall conduct a study 
on secondary post-traumatic stress disorder and depression and 
its impact on spouses, children, and caregivers of members of the 
Armed Forces. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than three years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
in collaboration with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit 
to Congress, veterans service organizations, and military sup-
port organizations a report on the findings of the study con-
ducted under subsection (a). 
(2) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) The term ‘‘military support organization’’ has the 
meaning given that term by the Secretary of Defense. 
(B) The term ‘‘veterans service organization’’ means 
an organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs for the representation of veterans under section 
5902 of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 508. RESEARCH ON BRAIN HEALTH. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs an additional $5,000,000 for ongoing and future 
research at the Translational Research Center of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs for traumatic brain injury and stress disorders 
to provide better understanding of, and improved treatment options 
for, veterans who served in the Armed Forces after September 
11, 2001, and who have traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic 
stress disorder. 
SEC. 509. STUDY ON EFFICACY OF CLINICAL AND AT-HOME RESOURCES 
FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. 
Not later than two years after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the 
Office of Research and Development of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, shall conduct a study on— 
(1) the efficacy of clinical and at-home resources, such 
as mobile applications like COVID Coach, for providers, vet-
erans, caregivers, and family members to use for dealing with 
stressors; 
(2) the feasibility and advisability of developing more such 
resources; 
(3) strategies for improving mental health care and out-
comes for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder; and 
(4) best practices for helping family members of veterans 
deal with secondary post-traumatic stress disorder or mental 
health concerns.
H. R. 2617—1060 
DIVISION W—UNLEASHING AMERICAN 
INNOVATORS ACT OF 2022 
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. 
This division may be cited as the ‘‘Unleashing American 
Innovators Act of 2022’’. 
SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS. 
In this division: 
(1) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means the Under Sec-
retary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of 
the Office. 
(2) OFFICE.—The term ‘‘Office’’ means the United States 
Patent and Trademark Office. 
(3) PATENT PRO BONO PROGRAMS.—The term ‘‘patent pro 
bono programs’’ means the programs established pursuant to 
section 32 of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (35 U.S.C. 
2 note). 
(4) SOUTHEAST REGION OF THE UNITED STATES.—The term 
‘‘southeast region of the United States’’ means the area of 
the United States that is comprised of the States of Virginia, 
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, 
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. 
SEC. 103. SATELLITE OFFICES. 
(a) AMENDMENTS
TO
PURPOSE
AND
REQUIRED
CONSIDER-
ATIONS.—Section 23 of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (35 
U.S.C. 1 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘increase outreach activities to’’; and 
(ii) by inserting after ‘‘Office’’ the following: ‘‘, 
including by increasing outreach activities, including 
to individual inventors, small businesses, veterans, 
low-income populations, students, rural populations, 
and any geographic group of innovators that the 
Director may determine to be underrepresented in 
patent filings’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) enhance patent examiner and administrative patent 
judge retention, including patent examiners and administrative 
patent judges from economically, geographically, and demo-
graphically diverse backgrounds;’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) with respect to each office established after 
January 1, 2023, shall consider the proximity of the office 
to anchor institutions (such as hospitals primarily serving 
veterans and institutions of higher education), individual 
inventors, small businesses, veterans, low-income popu-
lations, students, rural populations, and any geographic
H. R. 2617—1061 
group of innovators that the Director may determine to 
be underrepresented in patent filings.’’. 
(b) SOUTHEAST REGIONAL OFFICE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Director shall establish a satellite 
office of the Office in the southeast region of the United States. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—When selecting a site for the office 
required under paragraph (1), the Director shall consider the 
following: 
(A) The number of patent-intensive industries located 
near the site. 
(B) 
How 
many 
research-intensive 
institutions, 
including institutions of higher education, are located near 
the site. 
(C) The State and local government legal and business 
frameworks that support intellectual property-intensive 
industries located near the site. 
(c) STUDY ON ADDITIONAL SATELLITE OFFICES.—Not later than 
2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall 
complete a study to determine whether additional satellite offices 
of the Office are necessary to— 
(1) achieve the purposes described in section 23(b) of the 
Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (35 U.S.C. 1 note), as 
amended by this section; and 
(2) increase participation in the patent system by individual 
inventors, small businesses, veterans, low-income populations, 
students, rural populations, and any geographic group of 
innovators that the Director may determine to be underrep-
resented in patent filings. 
SEC. 104. COMMUNITY OUTREACH OFFICES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), not 
later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Director shall establish not fewer than 4 community out-
reach offices throughout the United States. 
(2) RESTRICTION.—No community outreach office estab-
lished under paragraph (1) may be located in the same State 
as— 
(A) the principal office of the Office; or 
(B) any satellite office of the Office. 
(3) REQUIREMENT FOR NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND REGION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall establish not less 
than 1 community outreach office under this subsection 
in the northern New England region, which shall serve 
the States of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. 
(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—In determining the location for 
the office required to be established under subparagraph 
(A), the Director shall give preference to a location in 
which— 
(i) as of the date of enactment of this Act— 
(I) there is located not less than 1 public 
institution of higher education and not less than 
1 private institution of higher education; and 
(II) there are located not more than 15 reg-
istered patent attorneys, according to data from
H. R. 2617—1062 
the Office of Enrollment and Discipline of the 
Office; and 
(ii) according to data from the 2012 Survey of 
Business Owners conducted by the Bureau of the 
Census, less than 45 percent of the firms (as that 
term is defined for the purposes of that Survey) are 
owned by women, minorities, or veterans. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the community outreach offices 
established under subsection (a) are to— 
(1) further achieve the purposes described in section 
23(b)(1) of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (35 U.S.C. 
1 note), as amended by this division; 
(2) partner with local community organizations, institutions 
of higher education, research institutions, and businesses to 
create community-based programs that— 
(A) provide education regarding the patent system; 
and 
(B) promote the career benefits of innovation and 
entrepreneurship; and 
(3) educate prospective inventors, including individual 
inventors, small businesses, veterans, low-income populations, 
students, rural populations, and any geographic group of 
innovators that the Director may determine to be underrep-
resented in patent filings, about all public and private resources 
available to potential patent applicants, including the patent 
pro bono programs. 
SEC. 105. UPDATES TO THE PATENT PRO BONO PROGRAMS. 
(a) STUDY AND UPDATES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Director shall— 
(A) complete a study of the patent pro bono programs; 
and 
(B) submit the results of the study required under 
subparagraph (A) to the Committee on the Judiciary of 
the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
House of Representatives. 
(2) SCOPE OF THE STUDY.—The study required under para-
graph (1)(A) shall— 
(A) assess— 
(i) whether the patent pro bono programs, as in 
effect on the date on which the study is commenced, 
are sufficiently serving prospective and existing partici-
pants; 
(ii) whether the patent pro bono programs are 
sufficiently funded to serve prospective participants; 
(iii) whether any participation requirement of the 
patent pro bono programs, including any requirement 
to demonstrate knowledge of the patent system, serves 
as a deterrent for prospective participants; 
(iv) the degree to which prospective inventors are 
aware of the patent pro bono programs; 
(v) what factors, if any, deter attorneys from 
participating in the patent pro bono programs; 
(vi) whether the patent pro bono programs would 
be improved by expanding those programs to include 
non-attorney advocates; and
H. R. 2617—1063 
(vii) any other issue the Director determines appro-
priate; and 
(B) make recommendations for such administrative and 
legislative action as may be appropriate. 
(b) USE OF RESULTS.—Upon completion of the study required 
under subsection (a), the Director shall work with the Pro Bono 
Advisory Council, the operators of the patent pro bono programs, 
and intellectual property law associations across the United States 
to update the patent pro bono programs in response to the findings 
of the study. 
(c) EXPANSION OF INCOME ELIGIBILITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall work with and support, 
including by providing financial support to, existing patent 
pro bono programs and intellectual property law associations 
across the United States to expand eligibility for the patent 
pro bono programs to an individual living in a household, 
the gross household income of which is not more than 400 
percent of the Federal poverty line. 
(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in paragraph (1) may 
be construed to prevent a patent pro bono program from electing 
to establish a higher eligibility level, as compared to the level 
described in that paragraph. 
SEC. 106. PRE-PROSECUTION ASSESSMENT PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Director shall establish a pilot program 
to assist first-time prospective patent applicants in assessing the 
strengths and weaknesses of a potential patent application sub-
mitted by such a prospective applicant. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the pilot program required 
under subsection (a), the Director shall establish— 
(1) a notification process to notify a prospective patent 
applicant seeking an assessment described in that subsection 
that any assessment so provided may not be considered an 
official ruling of patentability from the Office; 
(2) conditions to determine eligibility for the pilot program, 
taking into consideration available resources; 
(3) reasonable limitations on the amount of time to be 
spent providing assistance to each individual first-time prospec-
tive patent applicant; 
(4) procedures for referring prospective patent applicants 
to legal counsel, including through the patent pro bono pro-
grams; and 
(5) procedures to protect the confidentiality of the informa-
tion disclosed by prospective patent applicants. 
SEC. 107. FEE REDUCTION FOR SMALL AND MICRO ENTITIES. 
(a) TITLE 35.—Section 41(h) of title 35, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘50 percent’’ and inserting 
‘‘60 percent’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘75 percent’’ and inserting 
‘‘80 percent’’. 
(b) FALSE CERTIFICATIONS.—Title 35, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in section 41, by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(j) PENALTY FOR FALSE ASSERTIONS.—In addition to any other 
penalty available under law, an entity that is found to have falsely
H. R. 2617—1064 
asserted entitlement to a fee reduction under this section shall 
be subject to a fine, to be determined by the Director, the amount 
of which shall be not less than 3 times the amount that the 
entity failed to pay as a result of the false assertion, whether 
the Director discovers the false assertion before or after the date 
on which a patent has been issued.’’; and 
(2) in section 123, by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) PENALTY FOR FALSE CERTIFICATIONS.—In addition to any 
other penalty available under law, an entity that is found to have 
falsely made a certification under this section shall be subject 
to a fine, to be determined by the Director, the amount of which 
shall be not less than 3 times the amount that the entity failed 
to pay as a result of the false certification, whether the Director 
discovers the false certification before or after the date on which 
a patent has been issued.’’. 
(c) LEAHY-SMITH AMERICA INVENTS ACT.—Section 10(b) of the 
Leahy Smith America Invents Act (35 U.S.C. 41 note) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘50 percent’’ and inserting ‘‘60 percent’’; 
and 
(2) by striking ‘‘75 percent’’ and inserting ‘‘80 percent’’. 
(d) STUDY ON FEES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Director shall— 
(A) complete a study of the fees charged by the Office; 
and 
(B) submit the results of the study required under 
subparagraph (A) to the Committee on the Judiciary of 
the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
House of Representatives. 
(2) SCOPE OF STUDY.—The study required under paragraph 
(1)(A) shall— 
(A) assess whether— 
(i) fees for small and micro entities are inhibiting 
the filing of patent applications by those entities; 
(ii) fees for examination should approximately 
match the costs of examination and what incentives 
are created by using maintenance fees to cover the 
costs of examination; and 
(iii) the results of the assessments performed 
under clauses (i) and (ii) counsel in favor of changes 
to the fee structure of the Office, such as— 
(I) raising standard application and examina-
tion fees; 
(II) reducing standard maintenance fees; and 
(III) reducing the fees for small and micro 
entities as a percentage of standard application 
fees; and 
(B) make recommendations for such administrative and 
legislative action as may be appropriate.
H. R. 2617—1065 
DIVISION X—EXTENSION OF AUTHOR-
IZATION FOR SPECIAL ASSESSMENT 
FOR DOMESTIC TRAFFICKING VIC-
TIMS’ FUND 
SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR SPECIAL ASSESSMENT 
FOR DOMESTIC TRAFFICKING VICTIMS’ FUND. 
Section 3014(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended, 
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘December 23, 
2022’’ and inserting ‘‘December 23, 2024’’. 
DIVISION Y—CONTRACT ACT OF 2022 
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. 
This division may be cited as the ‘‘Continuity for Operators 
with Necessary Training Required for ATC Contract Towers Act 
of 2022’’ or the ‘‘CONTRACT Act of 2022’’. 
SEC. 102. ANNUITY SUPPLEMENT. 
Section 8421a(c) of title 5, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘as an air traffic’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘as an— 
‘‘(1) air traffic’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), as so designated, by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) air traffic controller pursuant to a contract made with 
the Secretary of Transportation under section 47124 of title 
49.’’. 
DIVISION Z—COVS ACT 
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. 
This division may be cited as the ‘‘Computers for Veterans 
and Students Act of 2022’’ or the ‘‘COVS Act’’. 
SEC. 102. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Access to computers and computer technology is 
indispensable for success in the 21st century. Millions of Ameri-
cans do not regularly use a computer and research shows 
that substantial disparities remain in both internet use and 
the quality of access, with the digital divide concentrated among 
older, less educated, less affluent populations, especially vet-
erans, low-income students, and senior citizens. 
(2) The COVID–19 pandemic has highlighted the gap 
between those with computer access and those without. Millions 
of students, their families, and workers from across the economy 
were unable to do schoolwork, work remotely from home, or 
connect to loved ones and their communities because of the 
digital divide. 
(3) Any Federal program that distributes surplus, repair-
able Federal computers or technology equipment would benefit
H. R. 2617—1066 
from a partnership with a nonprofit organization whose mission 
is bridging the digital divide. 
SEC. 103. REFURBISHMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS COM-
PUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 5 of title 40, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 549 the following: 
‘‘§ 549a. Donation of personal property through nonprofit 
refurbishers 
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION.—Not later than 30 days after the date 
on which the Administrator provides State agencies for surplus 
property an opportunity to review surplus computer or technology 
equipment under section 549, the Administrator shall, as appro-
priate, transfer full title to such surplus computer or technology 
equipment that is determined to be eligible under subsection (b)(1) 
to nonprofit computer refurbishers for repair, distribution, and sub-
sequent transfer of full title of the equipment to eligible recipients 
under this section. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY, PARTICIPATION, AND DUTIES.— 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBILITY.—Surplus computer or technology equip-
ment is eligible for transfer under this section if a Federal 
agency determines that— 
‘‘(A) the surplus computer or technology equipment 
is repairable; and 
‘‘(B) the surplus computer or technology equipment 
meets the Guidelines for Media Sanitization issued by the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST Spe-
cial Publication 800–88), or any successor thereto. 
‘‘(2) PARTICIPATION.—The Administrator may establish 
partnerships with nongovernmental entities, at no cost and 
through cooperative agreements, to facilitate the identification 
and participation of nonprofit computer refurbishers under this 
section. 
‘‘(3) DUTIES OF REFURBISHERS.—A nonprofit computer refur-
bisher that receives surplus computer or technology equipment 
under this section shall— 
‘‘(A) make necessary repairs to restore the surplus 
computer or technology equipment to working order; 
‘‘(B) distribute the repaired surplus computer or tech-
nology equipment to eligible recipients at no cost, except 
to the extent— 
‘‘(i) necessary to facilitate shipping and handling 
of such equipment; and 
‘‘(ii) that such cost is consistent with any regula-
tions promulgated by the Administrator under sub-
section (d); 
‘‘(C) offer training programs on the use of the repaired 
computers and technology equipment for the recipients of 
the equipment; and 
‘‘(D) use recyclers to the maximum extent practicable 
in the event that surplus computer or technology equipment 
transferred under this section cannot be repaired or reused. 
‘‘(c) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) REFURBISHER REPORTS.—A nonprofit computer refur-
bisher that receives surplus computer or technology equipment 
under this section shall provide the Administrator with any
H. R. 2617—1067 
information the Administrator determines to be necessary for 
required reporting— 
‘‘(A) including information about the distribution of 
such equipment; and 
‘‘(B) which shall not include any personal identifying 
information about the recipient of such equipment apart 
from whether a recipient is an educational institution, indi-
vidual with disabilities, low-income individual, student, 
senior in need, or veteran for the purposes of eligibility 
under this section. 
‘‘(2) ADMINISTRATOR
REPORTS.—Annually and consistent 
with reporting requirements for transfers of Federal personal 
property to non-Federal entities, the Administrator shall submit 
to Congress and make publicly available a report that includes, 
for the period covered by the report— 
‘‘(A) a description of the efforts of the Administrator 
under this section; 
‘‘(B) a list of nongovernmental entities with which the 
Administrator had a partnership described in subsection 
(b)(2); 
‘‘(C) a list of nonprofit computer refurbishers that 
received, made repairs to, and distributed surplus computer 
and technology equipment, including disclosure of any for-
eign ownership interest in a nonprofit computer refur-
bisher; and 
‘‘(D) a list of donated and subsequently repaired sur-
plus computer or technology equipment identifying— 
‘‘(i) the Federal agency that donated the surplus 
computer or technology equipment; 
‘‘(ii) the State and county (or similar unit of local 
government) where the recipient is located; and 
‘‘(iii) whether the recipient is an educational 
institution, individual with disabilities, low-income 
individual, student, senior in need, or veteran. 
‘‘(3) AGENCY REPORTS.—Not later than 5 years after the 
date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, 
the head of each Federal agency shall make publicly available 
a report on the number of pieces of repairable surplus computer 
or technology equipment that were sent to recycling, abandoned, 
or destroyed. 
‘‘(d) REGULATIONS.—The Administrator shall issue regulations 
that are necessary and appropriate to implement this section, 
including— 
‘‘(1) allowing nonprofit computer refurbishers to assess 
nominal fees (which shall not exceed fair market value) on 
recipients of refurbished surplus computer or technology equip-
ment to facilitate shipping and handling of the surplus com-
puter or technology equipment; 
‘‘(2) determining, in coordination with other relevant Fed-
eral agencies, eligibility and certification requirements for non-
governmental entities and nonprofit computer refurbishers to 
participate in the program established under this section, 
including whether the participation of a nongovernmental 
entity or nonprofit computer refurbisher poses any actual or 
potential harm to the national security interests of the United 
States;
H. R. 2617—1068 
‘‘(3) establishing an efficient process for identifying eligible 
recipients; and 
‘‘(4) determining appropriate recyclers to dispose of surplus 
computer or technology equipment if it cannot be repaired 
or refurbished under this section. 
‘‘(e) JUDICIAL REVIEW.—Nothing in this section shall be con-
strued to create any substantive or procedural right or benefit 
enforceable by law by a party against the United States, its agen-
cies, its officers, or its employees. 
‘‘(f) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section may be 
construed to supersede the requirements of the Stevenson-Wydler 
Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (Public Law 96–480; 15 U.S.C. 
3701 et seq.). 
‘‘(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘Administrator’ means the 
Administrator of General Services. 
‘‘(2) DIGITAL DIVIDE.—The term ‘digital divide’ means the 
gap between those who have an internet-connected computer 
and the skills to use the computer and those who do not. 
‘‘(3) DISABILITY.—The term ‘disability’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities 
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102). 
‘‘(4) EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION.—The term ‘educational 
institution’ means— 
‘‘(A) any public or private child care center, preschool, 
elementary school, secondary school, accredited institution 
of vocational or professional education, or institution of 
higher education; 
‘‘(B) in the case of an accredited institution of voca-
tional or professional education or an institution of higher 
education composed of more than 1 school, college, or 
department that is administratively a separate unit, each 
such school, college, or department; and 
‘‘(C) a home school (whether treated as a home school 
or private school for the purposes of applicable State law). 
‘‘(5) ELIGIBLE
RECIPIENT.—The term ‘eligible recipient’ 
means an educational institution, individual with a disability, 
low-income individual, student, senior in need, or veteran that 
is residing or based in the United States. 
‘‘(6) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The term ‘institu-
tion of higher education’ has the meaning given that term 
in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1001). 
‘‘(7) LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘low-income indi-
vidual’ has the meaning given that term in section 351 of 
the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 689). 
‘‘(8) NONGOVERNMENTAL
ENTITY.—The term ‘nongovern-
mental entity’ means an organization or group of organizations 
that— 
‘‘(A) are not part of a Federal, State, local, Tribal, 
or territorial government; and 
‘‘(B) are nonprofit computer refurbishers or other 
industry participants that— 
‘‘(i) primarily work to improve access to informa-
tion and communication technology in their mission 
to bridge the digital divide through coordination and 
oversight of computer refurbishment and repair; and