I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2819 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and expand the Solid 
Start program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 22, 2021 
Ms. SLOTKIN (for herself and Mr. JOYCE of Ohio) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and 
expand the Solid Start program of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 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 ‘‘Solid Start Act of 
2021’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) In 2021, veterans continue to die by suicide 
at higher rates than civilians. Many of those vet-
erans have no ties to the Department of Veterans 
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Affairs, limiting the ability of the Department to 
help in times of crisis. 
(2) The first year after separating from the 
military is a critical time in the transition to civilian 
life for a member of the Armed Forces. Many 
changes occur during that transition, from career 
and location changes to shifts in financial cir-
cumstances and health care coverage. 
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that the United States 
must strive to better serve members of the Armed Forces 
and veterans who are transitioning to civilian life by— 
(1) providing up-to-date information and access 
to resources that such members of the Armed 
Forces and veterans may not be aware of; 
(2) supporting the critical time of transition by 
ensuring that mental health needs are met in a time-
ly manner; and 
(3) assisting members of the Armed Forces and 
veterans in accessing newly available services. 
SEC. 4. SOLID START PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 63 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new subchapter: 
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‘‘Subchapter II—Other Outreach Programs 
and Activities 
‘‘§ 6320. Solid Start program 
‘‘(a) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this section are— 
‘‘(1) to build the capacity of the Department to 
efficiently and effectively respond to the queries and 
needs of veterans who have recently separated from 
the Armed Forces; and 
‘‘(2) to systemically integrate and coordinate ef-
forts to assist veterans, including efforts— 
‘‘(A) to proactively reach out to newly sep-
arated veterans to inform them of their eligi-
bility for programs of and benefits provided by 
the Department; and 
‘‘(B) to connect veterans in crisis to re-
sources that address their immediate needs. 
‘‘(b) ACTIVITIES OF THE SOLID START PROGRAM.— 
(1) The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of 
Defense, shall carry out the Solid Start program of the 
Department by— 
‘‘(A) collecting up-to-date contact information 
during transition classes or separation counseling for 
all members of the Armed Forces who are sepa-
rating from the Armed Forces, while explaining the 
existence and purpose of the Solid Start program; 
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‘‘(B) calling each veteran, regardless of separa-
tion type or characterization of service, three times 
within the first year after separation of the veteran 
from the Armed Forces; 
‘‘(C) providing information about the Solid 
Start program on the website of the Department 
and in materials of the Department, especially tran-
sition booklets and other resources; 
‘‘(D) ensuring calls are truly tailored to the 
needs of each veteran’s unique situation by con-
ducting quality assurance tests; 
‘‘(E) prioritizing outreach to veterans who have 
accessed mental health resources prior to separation 
from the Armed Forces; 
‘‘(F) providing women veterans with informa-
tion that is tailored to their specific health care and 
benefit needs; 
‘‘(G) as feasible, providing information on ac-
cess to State and local resources, including Vet Cen-
ters and veterans service organizations; and 
‘‘(H) gathering and analyzing data assessing 
the effectiveness of the Solid Start program. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary, in coordination with the Sec-
retary of Defense, may carry out the Solid Start program 
by— 
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