I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2699 
To improve the mental health care benefits available to members of the 
Armed Forces, to enhance counseling available to family members of 
members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 4, 2009 
Ms. GIFFORDS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic-
tion of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To improve the mental health care benefits available to mem-
bers of the Armed Forces, to enhance counseling avail-
able to family members of members of the Armed Forces, 
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 ‘‘Armed Forces Behav-
ioral Health Awareness Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES 
WHO SERVE IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 
OR OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM FOR 
READJUSTMENT COUNSELING AND SERVICES 
THROUGH VET CENTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—A member of the Armed Forces, 
including the Reserve components, who is deployed in sup-
port of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi 
Freedom shall be eligible for readjustment counseling and 
related mental health services under section 1712A of title 
38, United States Code, through the centers for readjust-
ment counseling and related mental health services (com-
monly known as ‘‘Vet Centers’’) operated by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs under that section. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY.— 
(1) REGULATIONS.—Except as provided in 
paragraph (2), the eligibility of a member of the 
Armed Forces, including the Reserve components, 
for counseling and services under subsection (a) 
shall be subject to such regulations as the Secretary 
of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall jointly prescribe for purposes of this section. 
(2) DUTY STATUS.—The duty status of a mem-
ber may not have an effect on the eligibility of the 
member to receive counseling and services under 
subsection (a). 
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SEC. 3. GRANTS FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE 
PROVISION OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SERV-
ICES TO FAMILY MEMBERS OF MEMBERS OF 
THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
carry out a program to award grants to nonprofit organi-
zations that provide emotional support services for family 
members of members of the Armed Forces, including the 
Reserve components. 
(b) AWARD OF GRANTS.— 
(1) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible for a grant 
under the program under this section, a nonprofit 
organization shall meet such criteria as the Sec-
retary shall establish for purposes of the program. 
(2) APPLICATION.—A nonprofit organization 
seeking a grant under the program shall submit to 
the Secretary an application for the grant in such 
form and manner as the Secretary shall specify for 
purposes of the program. 
(c) GRANTS.— 
(1) AMOUNT.—The amount of each grant 
awarded to a nonprofit organization under the pro-
gram under this section shall be such amount as the 
Secretary determines appropriate for purposes of the 
program. 
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(2) DURATION.—The duration of each grant 
awarded to a nonprofit organization shall be such 
period as the Secretary determines appropriate for 
purposes of the program. 
(d) USE OF GRANT FUNDS.—Each nonprofit organi-
zation awarded a grant under the program under this sec-
tion shall use amounts under the grant to provide emo-
tional support services for family members of members of 
the Armed Forces, including the Reserve components, 
through certain programs as the Secretary shall specify 
in the grant. 
(e) FUNDING.—Amounts for grants under the pro-
gram under this section shall be derived from amounts au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Department of Defense 
for military personnel. 
SEC. 4. PILOT PROGRAM TO ENHANCE AWARENESS OF 
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary of 
the Army shall carry out a pilot program to enhance 
awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder among mem-
bers of the Army. The Secretary shall carry out the pilot 
program in the following locations: 
(1) Fort Huachuca, Arizona. 
(2) Fort Carson, Colorado. 
(3) Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. 
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(b) ACTIVITIES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In carrying out the pilot 
program, the Secretary shall implement activities 
that— 
(A) for a member of the Army who will be 
deployed in support of a contingency operation, 
increase the understanding of— 
(i) the neurophysiological effects of 
stress and trauma associated with combat, 
including post-traumatic stress disorder; 
and 
(ii) the means of eliminating or miti-
gating such effects after returning from 
combat; 
(B) for a member of the Army deployed in 
support of a contingency operation, reinforce 
the information provided under subparagraph 
(A); 
(C) for a member of the Army who returns 
from being deployed in support of a contingency 
operation, assist the member in reintegrating 
into noncombat life; and 
(D) for the family of a member of the 
Army covered under this subsection, include 
training and assistance (including Internet- 
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based training and assistance) at each stage of 
deployment in order to assist the family and 
member in recognizing and addressing post- 
traumatic stress disorder. 
(2) DEVELOPMENT OF ACTIVITIES.—In devel-
oping activities under this subsection, the Secretary 
shall consider methods to address stress and trauma 
used by other appropriate populations, including 
special operations forces and elite athlete commu-
nities. 
(c) DURATION.—The Secretary shall carry out the 
pilot program for a period of three years. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than two years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a report assessing the pilot program, includ-
ing the effectiveness of the activities under subsection (b). 
Æ 
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