I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8108 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop clinical practice 
guidelines for the treatment of serious mental illnesses. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
AUGUST 25, 2020 
Mr. MALINOWSKI (for himself and Mr. DUNN) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and in addi-
tion to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Armed Services, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
committee concerned 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop clinical 
practice guidelines for the treatment of serious mental 
illnesses. 
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 ‘‘VA Serious Mental 
Illness Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OF 
CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR THE 
TREATMENT OF SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than three years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of De-
fense and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
shall complete the development of a clinical practice guide-
line or guidelines for the treatment of serious mental ill-
ness, to include the following conditions: 
(1) Schizophrenia. 
(2) Schizoaffective disorder. 
(3) Persistent mood disorder, including bipolar 
disorder I and II. 
(4) Any other mental, behavioral, or emotional 
disorder resulting in serious functional impairment 
that substantially interferes with major life activities 
as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services, considers appropriate. 
(b) MATTERS INCLUDED IN GUIDELINES.—The clin-
ical practice guideline or guidelines developed under sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
(1) Guidance contained in the 2016 Clinical 
Practice Guidelines for the Management of Major 
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Depressive Disorders of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs and the Department of Defense. 
(2) Guidance with respect to the treatment of 
patients with a condition described in subsection (a). 
(3) A list of evidence-based therapies for the 
treatment of conditions described in subsection (a). 
(4) An appropriate guideline for the administra-
tion of pharmacological therapy, psychological or be-
havioral therapy, or other therapy for the manage-
ment of conditions described in subsection (a). 
(c) PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND DISSEMINA-
TION.—The Secretary shall carry out an explicit plan to 
implement and disseminate the clinical practice guideline 
or guidelines developed under subsection (a). 
(d) ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING GUIDELINES.—Not 
later than two years after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services, shall complete an assessment of the 
2016 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of 
Major Depressive Disorders to determine whether an up-
date to such guidelines is necessary. 
(e) WORK GROUP.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs, the Secretary of Defense, and the Sec-
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