HR 5554 RFS 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall apply to fiscal years beginning on or 
after October 1, 2009. 
SEC. 4. PILOT PROGRAM FOR INTERNET-BASED SUB-
STANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT FOR 
VETERANS OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 
AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following find-
ings: 
(1) Stigma associated with seeking treatment 
for mental health disorders has been demonstrated 
to prevent some veterans from seeking such treat-
ment at a medical facility operated by the Depart-
ment of Defense or the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs. 
(2) There is a significant incidence among vet-
erans of post-deployment mental health problems, 
especially among members of a reserve component 
who return as veterans to civilian life. 
(3) Computer-based self-guided training has 
been demonstrated to be an effective strategy for 
supplementing the care of psychological conditions. 
(4) Younger veterans, especially those who 
served in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation 
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Iraqi Freedom, are comfortable with and proficient 
at computer-based technology. 
(5) Veterans living in rural areas find access to 
treatment for substance use disorder limited. 
(6) Self-assessment and treatment options for 
substance use disorders through an Internet website 
may reduce stigma and provides additional access 
for individuals seeking care and treatment for such 
disorders. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—Not later than October 1, 2009, 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall initiate a pilot pro-
gram to test the feasibility and advisability of providing 
veterans who seek treatment for substance use disorders 
access to a computer-based self-assessment, education, 
and specified treatment program through a secure Inter-
net website operated by the Secretary. Participation in the 
pilot program is available on a voluntary basis for those 
veterans who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom 
or Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
(c) ELEMENTS OF PILOT PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In designing and carrying 
out the pilot program under this section, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that— 
(A) access to the Internet website and the 
programs available on the website by a veteran 
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(or family member) does not involuntarily gen-
erate an identifiable medical record of that ac-
cess by that veteran in any medical database 
maintained by the Department; 
(B) the Internet website is accessible from 
remote locations, especially rural areas; and 
(C) the Internet website includes a self-as-
sessment tool for substance use disorders, self- 
guided treatment and educational materials for 
such disorders, and appropriate information 
and materials for family members of veterans. 
(2) CONSIDERATION OF SIMILAR PROJECTS.— 
In designing the pilot program under this section, 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consider simi-
lar pilot projects of the Department of Defense for 
the early diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic 
stress disorder and other mental health conditions 
established under section 741 of the John Warner 
National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 
2007 (Public Law 109–364; 120 Stat. 2304). 
(3) LOCATION OF PILOT PROGRAM.—The Sec-
retary shall carry out the pilot program through 
those medical centers of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs that have established Centers for Excellence 
for Substance Abuse Treatment and Education or 
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that have established a Substance Abuse Program 
Evaluation and Research Center. 
(4) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs may enter into contracts with 
qualified entities or organizations to carry out the 
pilot program required under this section. 
(d) DURATION OF PILOT PROGRAM.—The pilot pro-
gram required by subsection (a) shall be carried out dur-
ing the two-year period beginning on the date of the com-
mencement of the pilot program. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 
2011 to carry out the pilot program under this section. 
(f) REPORT.—Not later than six months after the 
completion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall sub-
mit to Congress a report on the pilot program, and shall 
include in that report an assessment of the feasibility and 
advisability of the pilot program, of any cost savings or 
other benefits associated with the pilot program, and rec-
ommendations for the continuation or expansion of the 
pilot program. 
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HR 5554 RFS 
SEC. 5. REPORT ON RESIDENTIAL MENTAL HEALTH CARE 
FACILITIES OF THE VETERANS HEALTH AD-
MINISTRATION. 
(a) REVIEW
AND REPORT.—Not later than six 
months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the Office 
of the Medical Inspector of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, shall— 
(1) conduct a review of all residential mental 
health care facilities, including domiciliary facilities, 
of the Veterans Health Administration; and 
(2) submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on 
the review conducted under paragraph (1). 
(b) ELEMENTS OF REPORT.—The report required by 
subsection (a)(2) shall include the following: 
(1) A description of the availability of care in 
residential mental health care facilities in each Vet-
erans Integrated Service Network (VISN). 
(2) An assessment of the supervision and sup-
port provided in the residential mental health care 
facilities of the Veterans Health Administration. 
(3) The ratio of staff members at each residen-
tial mental health care facility to patients at such fa-
cility. 
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(4) An assessment of the appropriateness of 
rules and procedures for the prescription and admin-
istration of medications to patients in such residen-
tial mental health care facilities. 
(5) A description of the protocols at each resi-
dential mental health care facility for handling 
missed appointments. 
(6) Any recommendations the Secretary con-
siders appropriate for improvements to such residen-
tial mental health care facilities and the care pro-
vided in such facilities. 
SEC. 6. TRIBUTE TO JUSTIN BAILEY. 
This Act is enacted in tribute to Justin Bailey, who, 
after returning to the United States from service as a 
member of the Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom, 
died in a domiciliary facility of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs while receiving care for post-traumatic stress 
disorder and a substance use disorder. 
Passed the House of Representatives May 20, 2008. 
Attest: 
LORRAINE C. MILLER, 
Clerk. 
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