I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8247 
To make certain improvements relating to the transition of individuals to 
services from the Department of Veterans Affairs, suicide prevention 
for veterans, and care and services for women veterans, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 
Mr. TAKANO introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To make certain improvements relating to the transition 
of individuals to services from the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs, suicide prevention for veterans, and care 
and services for women veterans, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and 
Treatment Act of 2020’’ or the ‘‘Veterans COMPACT Act 
of 2020’’. 
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(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—IMPROVEMENT OF TRANSITION OF INDIVIDUALS TO 
SERVICES FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
Sec. 101. Pilot program on information sharing between Department of Vet-
erans Affairs and designated relatives and friends of veterans 
regarding assistance and benefits available to the veterans. 
Sec. 102. Annual report on Solid Start program of Department of Veterans Af-
fairs. 
TITLE II—SUICIDE PREVENTION 
Sec. 201. Department of Veterans Affairs provision of emergent suicide care. 
Sec. 202. Education program for family members and caregivers of veterans 
with mental health disorders. 
Sec. 203. Interagency Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans. 
Sec. 204. Contact of certain veterans to encourage receipt of comprehensive 
medical examinations. 
Sec. 205. Police crisis intervention training of Department of Veterans Affairs. 
TITLE III—IMPROVEMENT OF CARE AND SERVICES FOR WOMEN 
VETERANS 
Sec. 301. Gap analysis of Department of Veterans Affairs programs that pro-
vide assistance to women veterans who are homeless. 
Sec. 302. Report on locations where women veterans are using health care from 
Department of Veterans Affairs. 
TITLE 
I—IMPROVEMENT 
OF 
TRANSITION OF INDIVIDUALS 
TO SERVICES FROM DEPART-
MENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
SEC. 101. PILOT PROGRAM ON INFORMATION SHARING BE-
TWEEN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
AND DESIGNATED RELATIVES AND FRIENDS 
OF VETERANS REGARDING ASSISTANCE AND 
BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO THE VETERANS. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.— 
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(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall commence carrying 
out a pilot program— 
(A) to encourage members of the Armed 
Forces who are transitioning from service in the 
Armed Forces to civilian life, before separating 
from such service, to designate up to 10 per-
sons to whom information regarding the assist-
ance and benefits available to the veterans 
under laws administered by the Secretary shall 
be disseminated using the contact information 
obtained under paragraph (7); and 
(B) provides such persons, within 30 days 
after the date on which such persons are des-
ignated under subparagraph (A), the option to 
elect to receive such information. 
(2) DURATION.—The Secretary shall carry out 
the pilot program during a period beginning on the 
date of the commencement of the pilot program that 
is not less than two years. 
(3) DISSEMINATION.—The Secretary shall dis-
seminate information described in paragraph (1)(A) 
under the pilot program no less than quarterly. 
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(4) TYPES OF INFORMATION.—The types of in-
formation to be disseminated under the pilot pro-
gram to persons who elect to receive such informa-
tion shall include information regarding the fol-
lowing: 
(A) Services and benefits offered to vet-
erans and their family members by the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs. 
(B) Challenges and stresses that might ac-
company transitioning from service in the 
Armed Forces to civilian life. 
(C) Services available to veterans and their 
family members to cope with the experiences 
and challenges of service in the Armed Forces 
and transition from such service to civilian life. 
(D) Services available through community 
partner organizations to support veterans and 
their family members. 
(E) Services available through Federal, 
State, and local government agencies to support 
veterans and their family members. 
(F) The environmental health registry pro-
gram, health and wellness programs, and re-
sources for preventing and managing diseases 
and illnesses. 
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(G) A toll-free telephone number through 
which such persons who elect to receive infor-
mation under the pilot program may request in-
formation regarding the program. 
(H) Such other matters as the Secretary, 
in consultation with members of the Armed 
Forces and such persons who elect to receive in-
formation under the pilot program, determines 
to be appropriate. 
(5) PRIVACY
OF
INFORMATION.—In carrying 
out the pilot program, the Secretary may not dis-
seminate information under paragraph (4) in viola-
tion of laws and regulations pertaining to the pri-
vacy of members of the Armed Forces, including re-
quirements pursuant to— 
(A) section 552a of title 5, United States 
Code; and 
(B) the Health Insurance Portability and 
Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104– 
191). 
(6) NOTICE AND MODIFICATIONS.—In carrying 
out the pilot program, the Secretary shall, with re-
spect to a veteran— 
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(A) ensure that such veteran is notified of 
the ability to modify designations made by such 
veteran under paragraph (1)(A); and 
(B) upon the request of a veteran, author-
ize such veteran to modify such designations at 
any time. 
(7) CONTACT INFORMATION.—In making a des-
ignation under the pilot program, a veteran shall 
provide necessary contact information, specifically 
including an email address, to facilitate the dissemi-
nation of information regarding the assistance and 
benefits available to the veteran under laws adminis-
tered by the Secretary. 
(8) OPT-IN
AND
OPT-OUT
OF
PILOT
PRO-
GRAM.— 
(A) OPT-IN BY MEMBERS.—A veteran may 
participate in the pilot program only if the vet-
eran voluntarily elects to participate in the pro-
gram. A veteran seeking to make such an elec-
tion shall make such election in a manner, and 
by including such information, as the Secretary 
shall specify for purposes of the pilot program. 
(B) OPT-IN
BY
DESIGNATED
RECIPI-
ENTS.—A person designated pursuant to para-
graph (1)(A) may receive information under the 
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pilot program only if the person makes the elec-
tion described in paragraph (1)(B). 
(C) OPT-OUT.—In carrying out the pilot 
program, the Secretary shall, with respect to a 
person who has elected to receive information 
under such pilot program, cease disseminating 
such information to that person upon request of 
such person. 
(b) SURVEY AND REPORT ON PILOT PROGRAM.— 
(1) SURVEY.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the commencement of the pilot 
program and not less frequently than once each 
year thereafter for the duration of the pilot pro-
gram, the Secretary shall administer a survey 
to persons who ever elected to receive informa-
tion under the pilot program for the purpose of 
receiving feedback regarding the quality of in-
formation disseminated under this section. 
(B) ELEMENTS.—Each survey conducted 
under subparagraph (A) shall include solicita-
tion of the following: 
(i) Feedback on the following: 
(I) The nature of information 
disseminated under the pilot program. 
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(II) Satisfaction with the pilot 
program. 
(III) The utility of the pilot pro-
gram. 
(IV) Overall pilot program suc-
cesses and challenges. 
(ii) Recommendations for improving 
the pilot program. 
(iii) Reasons for opting in or out of 
the pilot program. 
(iv) Such other feedback or matters as 
the Secretary considers appropriate. 
(2) REPORT.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than three 
years after the date on which the pilot program 
commences, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives and the Senate a final report 
on the pilot program. 
(B) CONTENTS.—The report submitted 
under subparagraph (A) shall include the fol-
lowing: 
(i) The results of the survey adminis-
tered under paragraph (1). 
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SEC. 102. ANNUAL REPORT ON SOLID START PROGRAM OF 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) REPORTS REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually 
thereafter for a period of five years, the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a re-
port on the Solid Start program of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—Each report under subsection (a) 
shall include the following: 
(1) With respect to each veteran called or 
emailed under the Solid Start program: 
(A) The Armed Force of the veteran. 
(B) Age. 
(C) Gender. 
(D) Whether the veteran responded to the 
call or email. 
(E) Whether the call or email resulted in 
a call to the Veterans Crisis Line established 
pursuant to section 1720F(h) of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(F) Whether the call or email resulted in 
a referral to— 
(i) compensation and pension deter-
mination; 
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(ii) enrollment in the patient enroll-
ment system of the Department; or 
(iii) any other program or benefit 
under the laws administered by the Sec-
retary. 
(2) Any change to the Solid Start program im-
plemented by the Secretary since the date of the pre-
vious such report. 
(c) PROHIBITION ON PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE IN-
FORMATION.—No report under subsection (a) may contain 
any personally identifiable information regarding a vet-
eran. 
TITLE II—SUICIDE PREVENTION 
SEC. 201. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVISION 
OF EMERGENT SUICIDE CARE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 17 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1720J. Emergent suicide care 
‘‘(a) FURNISHING OR PAYMENT FOR EMERGENT SUI-
CIDE CARE.—Pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall 
furnish or pay for emergent suicide care to an eligible indi-
vidual at a medical facility of the Department or at a non- 
Department facility. 
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‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.—An individual is eligible for emer-
gent suicide care under this section if the individual is in 
an acute suicidal crisis and is either of the following: 
‘‘(1) A veteran. 
‘‘(2) An individual described in section 1720I(b) 
of this title. 
‘‘(c) PERIOD OF CARE.—(1) Emergent suicide care 
furnished under this section shall be furnished to an eligi-
ble individual— 
‘‘(A) through inpatient or crisis residential care, 
for a period not to exceed 30 days; or 
‘‘(B) if care under subparagraph (A) is unavail-
able, as outpatient care for a period not to exceed 
90 days. 
‘‘(2) If, upon the expiration of a period under para-
graph (1), the Secretary determines that the eligible indi-
vidual remains in an acute suicidal crisis, the Secretary 
may extend such period as the Secretary determines ap-
propriate. 
‘‘(d) OUTREACH.—During any period when an eligi-
ble individual is receiving emergent suicide care furnished 
under this section, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) ensure that— 
‘‘(A) in the case of an eligible individual 
referred to a medical facility of the Department 
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by the Veterans Crisis Line, the Veterans Crisis 
Line notifies the Suicide Prevention Coordi-
nator; 
‘‘(B) in the case of an eligible individual 
who presents at a medical facility of the De-
partment in an acute suicidal crisis without a 
referral by the Veterans Crisis Line, the Sec-
retary notifies the Suicide Prevention Coordi-
nator; 
‘‘(C) in the case of an eligible individual 
referred to a non-Department facility by the 
Veterans Crisis Line, the Veterans Crisis Line 
notifies the Suicide Prevention Coordinator and 
the Office of Community Care at the Depart-
ment facility located nearest to the eligible indi-
vidual; and 
‘‘(D) in the case of an eligible individual 
who presents at a non-Department facility in an 
acute suicidal crisis without a referral by the 
Veterans Crisis Line— 
‘‘(i) the individual (or someone acting 
on the behalf of the individual) notifies the 
Secretary within seven days of the begin-
ning of the episode of care for such emer-
gent suicide care; and 
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‘‘(ii) the Secretary notifies the Suicide 
Prevention Coordinator and the Office of 
Community Care at the medical facility of 
the Department located nearest to the eli-
gible individual; 
‘‘(2) determine the eligibility of the eligible indi-
vidual for other programs and benefits under the 
laws administered by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(3) make referrals for care following the pe-
riod of such emergent suicide care, as the Secretary 
determines appropriate. 
‘‘(e) PROHIBITION ON CHARGE.—(1) If the Secretary 
furnishes or pays for emergent suicide care to an eligible 
individual, the Secretary— 
‘‘(A) may not charge the eligible individual for 
any cost of such emergent suicide care; and 
‘‘(B) shall pay for any costs of emergency 
transportation to a facility for such emergent suicide 
care. 
‘‘(2) In addition to the requirements of paragraph 
(1), if the Secretary pays for emergent suicide care to an 
eligible individual at a non-Department facility, the Sec-
retary shall— 
‘‘(A) reimburse the facility for the reasonable 
value of such emergent suicide care; and 
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‘‘(B) ensure that such facility, or any health 
care provider working at such facility, does not 
charge the eligible individual for such emergent sui-
cide care. 
‘‘(3) In the case of an eligible individual who receives 
emergent suicide care under this section and who is enti-
tled to emergent suicide care (or payment for emergent 
suicide care) under a health-plan contract, the Secretary 
may recover the costs of such emergency suicide care pro-
vided under this section. 
‘‘(4) In carrying out subsection (d)(1)(D), the Sec-
retary may not charge an eligible individual for any cost 
of emergent suicide care furnished under this section sole-
ly by reason of the Secretary not having been notified of 
such care pursuant to such subsection. 
‘‘(f) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not less than once each 
year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives a report on emergent suicide care furnished or paid 
for under this section. Each such report shall include, for 
the year covered by the report— 
‘‘(1) the number of eligible individuals who re-
ceived emergent suicide care under this section; 
‘‘(2) demographic information regarding eligible 
individuals described in paragraph (1); 
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‘‘(3) the types of care furnished or paid for this 
section; and 
‘‘(4) the total cost of furnishing and paying for 
emergent suicide care under this section. 
‘‘(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘acute suicidal crisis’ means that 
an individual was determined to be at imminent risk 
of self-harm by a trained crisis responder or health 
care provider. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘crisis residential care’ means 
crisis stabilization care provided— 
‘‘(A) on a residential basis; and 
‘‘(B) in a facility other than a hospital. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘crisis stabilization care’ means, 
with respect to an individual in acute suicidal crisis, 
care that ensures, to the extent practicable, imme-
diate safety and reduces— 
‘‘(A) the severity of distress; 
‘‘(B) the need for urgent care; or 
‘‘(C) the likelihood that the distress under 
subparagraph (A) or need under subparagraph 
(B) will increase during the transfer of that in-
dividual from a facility at which the individual 
has received care for that acute suicidal crisis. 
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‘‘(4) The term ‘emergent suicide care’ means 
crisis stabilization services provided to an eligible in-
dividual— 
‘‘(A) pursuant to a referral of the eligible 
individual from the Veterans Crisis Line; or 
‘‘(B) who presents at a medical facility in 
an acute suicidal crisis. 
‘‘(5) The term ‘health-plan contract’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 1725 of this 
title. 
‘‘(6) The term ‘Veterans Crisis Line’ means the 
hotline under section 1720F(h) of this title.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item relation to section 1720I the following new 
item: 
‘‘1720J. Emergent suicide care.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The Secretary shall furnish 
or pay for emergent suicide care under section 1720J of 
title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), 
beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
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SEC. 202. EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR FAMILY MEMBERS 
AND CAREGIVERS OF VETERANS WITH MEN-
TAL HEALTH DISORDERS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 270 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall establish an education program (in 
this section referred to as the ‘‘education program’’) for 
the education and training of caregivers and family mem-
bers of eligible veterans with mental health disorders. 
(b) EDUCATION PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Under the education pro-
gram, the Secretary shall provide a course of edu-
cation to caregivers and family members of eligible 
veterans on matters relating to coping with mental 
health disorders in veterans. 
(2) DURATION.—The Secretary shall carry out 
the education program during the four-year period 
beginning on the date of the commencement of the 
education program. 
(3) SCOPE.— 
(A) CAREGIVERS.—The Secretary, with re-
spect to the component of the education pro-
gram that relates to the education and training 
of caregivers, shall— 
(i) include such component in the 
training provided pursuant to the program 
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of comprehensive assistance for family 
caregivers of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs established under section 1720G of 
title 38, United States Code; and 
(ii) make such component available on 
the internet website of the Department 
that relates to caregiver training. 
(B) FAMILY
MEMBERS.—The Secretary 
shall carry out the component of the education 
program that relates to the education and 
training of family members (who are not care-
givers) at facilities of the Department as fol-
lows: 
(i) Not less than five medical centers 
of the Department. 
(ii) Not less than five clinics of the 
Department. 
(iii) Not less than five Vet Centers (as 
defined in section 1712A(h) of title 38, 
United States Code). 
(C) SOLICITATION OF APPLICATIONS.—In 
selecting locations pursuant to subparagraph 
(B), the Secretary shall solicit applications from 
eligible facilities of the Department that are in-
terested in carrying out the education program. 
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(D) CONSIDERATIONS.—In selecting loca-
tions pursuant to subparagraph (B), the Sec-
retary shall consider the feasibility and advis-
ability of selecting locations in the following 
areas: 
(i) Rural areas. 
(ii) Areas that are not in close prox-
imity to an active duty installation. 
(iii) Areas in different geographic lo-
cations. 
(4) CONTRACTS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—In carrying out the 
education program, the Secretary shall enter 
into contracts with qualified entities described 
in subparagraph (B) to offer the course of edu-
cation described in paragraph (5) to family 
members and caregivers of eligible veterans and 
covered veterans. 
(B) QUALIFIED
ENTITY
DESCRIBED.—A 
qualified entity described in this subparagraph 
is a nonprofit entity with experience in mental 
health education and outreach, including work 
with children, teens, and young adults, that— 
(i) uses high-quality, relevant, and 
age-appropriate information in educational 
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programming, materials, and coursework, 
including such programming, materials, 
and coursework for children, teens, and 
young adults; and 
(ii) works with agencies, departments, 
nonprofit mental health organizations, 
early childhood educators, and mental 
health providers to develop educational 
programming, materials, and coursework. 
(C) PRIORITY.—In entering into contracts 
under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give 
priority to qualified entities that have dem-
onstrated cultural competence in serving mili-
tary and veteran populations, and, to the extent 
practicable, use internet technology for the de-
livery of course content in an effort to expand 
the availability of support services, especially in 
rural areas. 
(5) COURSE OF EDUCATION DESCRIBED.—The 
course of education described in this paragraph shall 
consist of curriculum that includes the following: 
(A) General education on different mental 
health disorders, including information to im-
prove understanding of the experiences of indi-
viduals suffering from such disorders. 
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(B) Techniques for handling crisis situa-
tions and administering mental health first aid 
to individuals suffering from a mental health 
disorder. 
(C) Techniques for coping with the stress 
of living with an individual suffering from a 
mental health disorder. 
(D) Information on additional services 
available for family members and caregivers 
through the Department or community organi-
zations and providers related to mental health 
disorders. 
(E) Such other matters as the Secretary 
considers appropriate. 
(c) SURVEYS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct 
a comprehensive survey of the satisfaction of individ-
uals that have participated in the course of edu-
cation described in subsection (b)(5). Such survey 
shall include a solicitation of feedback on the fol-
lowing: 
(A) The general satisfaction of those indi-
viduals with the education and assistance pro-
vided under the education program. 
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(B) The perceived effectiveness of the edu-
cation program in providing education and as-
sistance that is useful for those individuals. 
(C) The applicability of the education pro-
gram to the issues faced by those individuals. 
(D) Such other matters as the Secretary 
considers appropriate. 
(2) COMPILATION OF INFORMATION.—The in-
formation compiled as a result of the surveys con-
ducted under paragraph (1) shall be— 
(A) disaggregated by facility type at which 
the education program was carried out; and 
(B) included in the annual reports under 
subsection (d)(1). 
(d) REPORTS.— 
(1) ANNUAL REPORTS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the commencement of the edu-
cation program and not later than September 
30 each year thereafter until 2024, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Represent-
atives a report on— 
(i) the education program; and 
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(ii) the feasibility and advisability of 
expanding the education program to in-
clude the establishment of a peer support 
program composed of individuals who com-
plete the education program (in this sec-
tion referred to as a ‘‘peer support pro-
gram’’). 
(B) ELEMENTS.—Each report submitted 
under subparagraph (A) shall include the fol-
lowing: 
(i) The number of individuals that 
participated in the course of education de-
scribed in subsection (b)(5) during the 
year preceding the submission of the re-
port. 
(ii) A detailed analysis of the surveys 
conducted under subsection (c) with re-
spect to the individuals described in clause 
(i). 
(iii) Any plans for expansion of the 
education program. 
(iv) An analysis of the feasibility and 
advisability of establishing a peer support 
program. 
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(v) The interim findings and conclu-
sions of the Secretary with respect to the 
success of the education program and the 
feasibility and advisability of establishing a 
peer support program. 
(2) FINAL REPORT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the completion of the education program, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committees 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Represent-
atives and the Senate a final report on the fea-
sibility and advisability of continuing the edu-
cation program. 
(B) ELEMENTS.—The final report under 
subparagraph (A) shall include the following: 
(i) A detailed analysis of the surveys 
conducted under subsection (c). 
(ii) An analysis of the feasibility and 
advisability of continuing the education 
program without entering into contracts 
for the course of education described in 
subsection (b)(5). 
(iii) An analysis of the feasibility and 
advisability of expanding the education 
program. 
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(iv) An analysis of the feasibility and 
advisability of establishing a peer support 
program. 
(e) MONITORING OF PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall 
select mental health care providers of the Department to 
monitor the progress of the instruction provided under the 
education program. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘eligible veteran’’ means a vet-
eran who is enrolled in the health care system estab-
lished under section 1705(a) of title 38, United 
States Code. 
(2) The terms ‘‘caregiver’’ and ‘‘family mem-
ber’’ have the meaning given those terms in section 
1720G(d) of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 203. INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE ON OUTDOOR RECRE-
ATION FOR VETERANS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date on which the national emergency declared 
by the President pursuant to the National Emergencies 
Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) with respect to the 
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) expires, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a task force to 
be known as the ‘‘Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for 
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Veterans’’ (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Task 
Force’’). 
(b) COMPOSITION.—The Task Force shall be com-
posed of the following members or their designees: 
(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
(2) The Secretary of the Interior. 
(3) The Secretary of Health and Human Serv-
ices. 
(4) The Secretary of Agriculture. 
(5) The Secretary of Defense. 
(6) The Secretary of Homeland Security. 
(7) The Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers. 
(8) At least two representatives from organiza-
tions recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. 
(9) Any other member that the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs determines to be appropriate. 
(c) CHAIRPERSONS.—The Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs and the Secretary of the Interior shall serve as co- 
chairpersons of the Task Force (in this section referred 
to as the ‘‘Chairpersons’’). 
(d) DUTIES.— 
(1) TASK
FORCE.—The duties of the Task 
Force shall be— 
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(A) to identify opportunities to formalize 
coordination between the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs, public land agencies, and partner 
organizations regarding the use of public lands 
and other outdoor spaces for facilitating health 
and wellness for veterans; 
(B) to identify barriers that exist to pro-
viding veterans with opportunities to augment 
the delivery of services for health and wellness 
through the use of outdoor recreation on public 
lands and other outdoor spaces; and 
(C) to develop recommendations to better 
facilitate the use of public lands and other out-
door spaces for promoting wellness and facili-
tating the delivery of health care and thera-
peutic interventions for veterans. 
(2) CONSULTATION.—The Task Force shall 
carry out the duties under paragraph (1) in con-
sultation with appropriate veterans outdoor recre-
ation groups. 
(e) REPORTS.— 
(1) PRELIMINARY REPORT.—Not later than one 
year after the date on which the Task Force is es-
tablished, the Chairpersons shall submit to Congress 
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