ilies 
through 
outreach, 
community 
access 
points, 
outstations, and Vet Centers. 
(b) VET CENTER DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘Vet Center’’ has the meaning given that term in 
section 1712A(h) of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 103. EXPANSION OF MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING FOR 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than three years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs, in collaboration with the Office of Men-
tal Health and Suicide Prevention and the Office of Aca-
demic Affiliations, shall add an additional 500 paid trainee 
slots in covered mental health disciplines to the workforce 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(b) COVERED MENTAL HEALTH DISCIPLINES DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘covered mental health 
disciplines’’ means psychiatry, psychology, advanced prac-
tice nursing (with a focus on mental health or substance 
use disorder), social work, licensed professional mental 
health counseling, and marriage and family therapy. 
SEC. 104. EXPANSION OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND LOAN REPAY-
MENT PROGRAMS FOR MENTAL HEALTH PRO-
VIDERS. 
(a) EXPANSION OF HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SCHOL-
ARSHIP PROGRAM.—Beginning in academic year 2022, 
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the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall include not fewer 
than an additional (as compared to academic year 2021) 
50 awards per academic year under the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship Pro-
gram under subchapter II of chapter 76 of title 38, United 
States Code, for applicants otherwise eligible for such pro-
gram who are pursuing degrees or training in mental 
health disciplines, including advanced practice nursing 
(with a focus on mental health or substance use disorder), 
psychology, and social work. 
(b) EXPANSION OF EDUCATION DEBT REDUCTION 
PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Beginning in fiscal year 
2022, the Secretary shall provide not fewer than an 
additional (as compared to fiscal year 2021) 200 
debt reduction awards per year under the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs Education Debt Reduction 
Program under subchapter VII of chapter 76 of title 
38, United States Code, to be used to recruit mental 
health professionals to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs in disciplines that include psychiatry, psy-
chology, advanced practice nursing (with a focus on 
mental health or substance use disorder), and social 
work. 
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(2) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs $8,000,000 per year to 
carry out the additional awards under paragraph 
(1). 
(c) OUTREACH.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall develop a public awareness campaign to 
encourage veterans and mental health professionals 
to choose the Department for their mental health ca-
reer. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The campaign required under 
paragraph (1)— 
(A) shall advertise the paid trainee, schol-
arship, and loan repayment opportunities of-
fered by the Department; and 
(B) may highlight the new graduate med-
ical education residencies available at the De-
partment for medical students entering resi-
dency. 
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TITLE II—VETERANS CRISIS 
LINE 
SEC. 201. VETERANS CRISIS LINE. 
In this title, the term ‘‘Veterans Crisis Line’’ means 
the toll-free hotline for veterans established under section 
1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code. 
Subtitle A—Veterans Crisis Line 
Training and Quality Management 
SEC. 211. STAFF TRAINING. 
(a) REVIEW OF TRAINING FOR VETERANS CRISIS 
LINE CALL RESPONDERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall enter into an agreement with an orga-
nization outside the Department of Veterans Affairs 
to review the training for Veterans Crisis Line call 
responders on assisting callers in crisis. 
(2) COMPLETION OF REVIEW.—The review con-
ducted under paragraph (1) shall be completed not 
later than one year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(3) ELEMENTS OF REVIEW.—The review con-
ducted under paragraph (1) shall consist of a review 
of the training provided by the Department on sub-
jects including risk assessment, lethal means assess-
ment, substance use and overdose risk assessment, 
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safety planning, referrals to care, supervisory con-
sultation, and emergency dispatch. 
(4) UPDATE OF TRAINING.—If any deficiencies 
in the training for Veterans Crisis Line call respond-
ers are found pursuant to the review under para-
graph (1), the Secretary shall update such training 
and associated standards of practice to correct those 
deficiencies not later than one year after the comple-
tion of the review. 
(b) RETRAINING GUIDELINES FOR VETERANS CRISIS 
LINE CALL RESPONDERS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall develop guidelines on retraining and 
quality management for when a Veterans Crisis Line 
call responder has an adverse event or when a qual-
ity review check by a supervisor of such a call re-
sponder denotes that the call responder needs im-
provement. 
(2) ELEMENTS
OF
GUIDELINES.—The guide-
lines developed under paragraph (1) shall specify the 
subjects and quantity of retraining recommended 
and how supervisors should implement increased use 
of silent monitoring or other performance review 
mechanisms. 
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SEC. 212. QUALITY REVIEW AND MANAGEMENT. 
(a) MONITORING OF CALLS ON VETERANS CRISIS 
LINE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall require that not fewer than two calls 
per month for each Veterans Crisis Line call re-
sponder be subject to supervisory silent monitoring, 
which is used to monitor the quality of conduct by 
such call responder during the call. 
(2) BENCHMARKS.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish benchmarks for requirements and performance 
of Veterans Crisis Line call responders on super-
visory silent monitored calls. 
(3) QUARTERLY REPORTS.—Not less frequently 
than quarterly, the Secretary shall submit to the Of-
fice of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs a report on occur-
rence and outcomes of supervisory silent monitoring 
of calls on the Veterans Crisis Line. 
(b) QUALITY MANAGEMENT PROCESSES FOR VET-
ERANS CRISIS LINE.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the leadership for the 
Veterans Crisis Line, in partnership with the Office of 
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention of the Department 
and the National Center for Patient Safety of the Depart-
ment, shall establish quality management processes and 
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expectations for staff of the Veterans Crisis Line, includ-
ing with respect to reporting of adverse events and close 
calls. 
(c) ANNUAL COMMON CAUSE ANALYSIS FOR CALL-
ERS TO VETERANS CRISIS LINE WHO DIE BY SUICIDE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not less frequently than an-
nually, the Secretary shall perform a common cause 
analysis for all identified callers to the Veterans Cri-
sis Line that died by suicide during the one-year pe-
riod preceding the conduct of the analysis before the 
caller received contact with emergency services and 
in which the Veterans Crisis Line was the last point 
of contact. 
(2) SUBMITTAL OF RESULTS.—The Secretary 
shall submit to the Office of Mental Health and Sui-
cide Prevention of the Department the results of 
each analysis conducted under paragraph (1). 
(3) APPLICATION OF THEMES OR LESSONS.— 
The Secretary shall apply any themes or lessons 
learned under an analysis under paragraph (1) to 
updating training and standards of practice for staff 
of the Veterans Crisis Line. 
SEC. 213. GUIDANCE FOR HIGH-RISK CALLERS. 
(a) DEVELOPMENT OF ENHANCED GUIDANCE AND 
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONSE TO CALLS RELATED TO 
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SUBSTANCE USE AND OVERDOSE RISK.—Not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with na-
tional experts within the Department of Veterans Affairs 
on substance use disorder and overdose, shall— 
(1) develop enhanced guidance and procedures 
to respond to calls to the Veterans Crisis Line re-
lated to substance use and overdose risk; 
(2) update training materials for staff of the 
Veterans Crisis Line in response to such enhanced 
guidance and procedures; and 
(3) update criteria for monitoring compliance 
with such enhanced guidance and procedures. 
(b) REVIEW AND IMPROVEMENT OF STANDARDS FOR 
EMERGENCY DISPATCH.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall— 
(A) review the current emergency dispatch 
standard operating procedure of the Veterans 
Crisis Line to identify any additions to such 
procedure to strengthen communication regard-
ing— 
(i) emergency dispatch for discon-
nected callers; and 
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(ii) the role of social service assistants 
in requesting emergency dispatch and re-
cording such dispatches; and 
(B) update such procedure to include the 
additions identified under subparagraph (A). 
(2) TRAINING.—The Secretary shall ensure 
that all staff of the Veterans Crisis Line are trained 
on all updates made under paragraph (1)(B) to the 
emergency dispatch standard operating procedure of 
the Veterans Crisis Line. 
SEC. 214. OVERSIGHT OF TRAINING OF SOCIAL SERVICE AS-
SISTANTS AND CLARIFICATION OF JOB RE-
SPONSIBILITIES. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— 
(1) establish oversight mechanisms to ensure 
that social service assistants and supervisory social 
service assistants working with the Veterans Crisis 
Line are appropriately trained and implementing 
guidance of the Department regarding the Veterans 
Crisis Line; and 
(2) refine standard operating procedures to de-
lineate roles and responsibilities for all levels of su-
pervisory social service assistants working with the 
Veterans Crisis Line. 
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Subtitle B—Pilot Programs and 
Research on Veterans Crisis Line 
SEC. 221. PILOT PROGRAMS. 
(a) EXTENDED SAFETY PLANNING PILOT PROGRAM 
FOR VETERANS CRISIS LINE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Commencing not later than 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a 
pilot program to determine whether a lengthier, 
templated safety plan used in clinical settings could 
be applied in call centers for the Veterans Crisis 
Line. 
(2) BRIEFING.—Not later than two years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall provide to Congress a briefing on the findings 
of the Secretary under the pilot program conducted 
under paragraph (1), which shall include any rec-
ommendations of the Secretary with respect to the 
continuation or discontinuation of the pilot program. 
(b) CRISIS LINE FACILITATION PILOT PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Commencing not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall carry out a pilot program on the 
use of crisis line facilitation to increase use of the 
Veterans Crisis Line among high-risk veterans. 
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(2) BRIEFING.—Not later than two years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall provide to Congress a briefing on the findings 
of the Secretary under the pilot program under 
paragraph (1), including any recommendations of 
the Secretary with respect to the continuation or dis-
continuation of the pilot program. 
(3) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(A) The term ‘‘crisis line facilitation’’, with 
respect to a high-risk veteran, means the pres-
entation by a therapist of psychoeducational in-
formation about the Veterans Crisis Line and a 
discussion 
of 
the 
perceived 
barriers 
and 
facilitators to future use of the Veterans Crisis 
Line for the veteran, which culminates in the 
veteran calling the Veterans Crisis Line with 
the therapist to provide firsthand experiences 
that may counter negative impressions of the 
Veterans Crisis Line. 
(B) The term ‘‘high-risk veteran’’ means a 
veteran receiving inpatient mental health care 
following a suicidal crisis. 
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SEC. 222. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR RE-
SEARCH ON EFFECTIVENESS AND OPPORTU-
NITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF VETERANS 
CRISIS LINE. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal years 2022 and 2023, 
a total of $5,000,000 for the Mental Illness Research, 
Education, and Clinical Centers of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs to conduct research on the effectiveness of 
the Veterans Crisis Line and areas for improvement for 
the Veterans Crisis Line. Amounts made available pursu-
ant to the authorization of appropriations under this sec-
tion shall remain available until September 30, 2024. 
Subtitle C—Transition of Crisis 
Line Number 
SEC. 231. FEEDBACK ON TRANSITION OF CRISIS LINE NUM-
BER. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall solicit feedback from veterans service organizations 
on how to conduct outreach to members of the Armed 
Forces, veterans, their family members, and other mem-
bers of the military and veterans community on the move 
to 988 as the new, national three-digit suicide and mental 
health crisis hotline, which is expected to be implemented 
by July 2022, to minimize confusion and ensure veterans 
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are aware of their options for reaching the Veterans Crisis 
Line. 
(b) NONAPPLICATION OF FACA.—The Federal Advi-
sory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to 
any feedback solicited under subsection (a). 
(c) VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION DEFINED.— 
In this section, the term ‘‘veterans service organization’’ 
means an organization recognized by the Secretary for the 
representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
TITLE III—OUTREACH TO 
VETERANS 
SEC. 301. 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: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER II—OTHER OUTREACH 
PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES 
‘‘§ 6320. Solid Start program 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry out a 
program, to be known as the ‘Solid Start program’, under 
which the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) build the capacity of the Department to ef-
ficiently and effectively respond to the queries and 
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needs of veterans who have recently separated from 
the Armed Forces; and 
‘‘(2) 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; 
‘‘(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 
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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— 
‘‘(A) encouraging members of the Armed 
Forces who are transitioning to civilian life to au-
thorize alternate points of contact who can be 
reached should the member be unavailable during 
the first year following the separation of the member 
from the Armed Forces; 
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‘‘(B) following up missed phone calls with tai-
lored mailings to ensure the veteran still receives 
similar information; and 
‘‘(C) striving to reach out to veterans who sepa-
rated prior to the initiation of the Solid Start pro-
gram to provide similar services to those veterans, as 
feasible. 
‘‘(3) In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) The term ‘Vet Center’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 1712A(h) of this title. 
‘‘(B) The term ‘veterans service organization’ 
means an organization recognized by the Secretary 
for the representation of veterans under section 
5902 of this title. 
‘‘(c) OBLIGATIONS
OF AMOUNTS.—Subject to the 
availability of appropriations, the Secretary may not, in 
a fiscal year, obligate an amount to carry out the Solid 
Start program that is less than the total amount obligated 
in the previous fiscal year to carry out the program, unless 
the Secretary determines that increased efficiencies of the 
program warrant the obligation of a lesser amount.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Chapter 63 of 
such title, as amended by subsection (a), is further amend-
ed— 
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(1) by inserting before section 6301 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘Subchapter I—Outreach Services Program’’; 
and 
(2) in sections 6301, 6303, 6304, 6305, 6306, 
and 6307, by striking ‘‘this chapter’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘this subchapter’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 63 of such title is amended— 
(1) by inserting before the item relating to sec-
tion 6301 the following new item: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER I—OUTREACH SERVICES PROGRAM’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
items: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER II—OTHER OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES 
‘‘6320. Solid Start program.’’. 
SEC. 302. DESIGNATION OF BUDDY CHECK WEEK BY SEC-
RETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall designate one week each year to organize outreach 
events and educate veterans on how to conduct peer 
wellness checks, which shall be known as ‘‘Buddy Check 
Week’’. 
(b) EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—During Buddy Check Week, 
the Secretary, in consultation with organizations 
that represent veterans, nonprofits that serve vet-
erans, mental health experts, members of the Armed 
Forces, and such other entities and individuals as 
the Secretary considers appropriate, shall collaborate 
with organizations that represent veterans to provide 
educational opportunities for veterans to learn how 
to conduct peer wellness checks. 
(2) TRAINING MATTERS.—As part of the edu-
cational opportunities provided under paragraph (1), 
the Secretary shall provide the following: 
(A) A script for veterans to use to conduct 
peer wellness checks that includes information 
on appropriate referrals to resources veterans 
might need. 
(B) Online and in-person training, as ap-
propriate, on how to conduct a peer wellness 
check. 
(C) Opportunities for members of organi-
zations that represent veterans to learn how to 
train individuals to conduct peer wellness 
checks. 
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(D) Training for veterans participating in 
Buddy Check Week on how to transfer a phone 
call directly to the Veterans Crisis Line. 
(E) Resiliency training for veterans partici-
pating in Buddy Check Week on handling a vet-
eran in crisis. 
(3) ONLINE MATERIALS.—All training materials 
provided under the educational opportunities under 
paragraph (1) shall be made publicly available on a 
website of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(c) OUTREACH.—The Secretary, in collaboration with 
organizations that represent veterans, may conduct out-
reach regarding educational opportunities under sub-
section (b) at— 
(1) public events where many veterans are ex-
pected to congregate; 
(2) meetings of organizations that represent 
veterans; 
(3) facilities of the Department; and 
(4) such other locations as the Secretary, in col-
laboration with organizations that represent vet-
erans, considers appropriate. 
(d) VETERANS CRISIS LINE PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall ensure 
that a plan exists for handling the potential increase 
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in the number of calls into the Veterans Crisis Line 
that may occur during Buddy Check Week. 
(2) SUBMITTAL
OF
PLAN.—The head of the 
Veterans Crisis Line shall submit to the Secretary a 
plan for how to handle excess calls during Buddy 
Check Week, which may include the following: 
(A) Additional hours for staff. 
(B) The use of a backup call center. 
(C) Any other plan to ensure that calls 
from veterans in crisis are being answered in a 
timely manner by an individual trained at the 
same level as a Veterans Crisis Line responder. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘organization that represents vet-
erans’’ means an organization recognized by the Sec-
retary for the representation of veterans under sec-
tion 5902 of title 38, United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘veteran’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 101 of such title. 
(3) The term ‘‘Veterans Crisis Line’’ means the 
toll-free hotline for veterans provided by the Sec-
retary under section 1720F(h) of such title. 
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SEC. 303. IMPROVEMENTS TO VETERANS JUSTICE OUT-
REACH PROGRAM. 
(a) OUTREACH REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall conduct outreach regarding the Vet-
erans Justice Outreach Program to justice-involved vet-
erans, military and veterans service organizations, and rel-
evant stakeholders in the criminal justice community, in-
cluding officials from local law enforcement, court, and jail 
systems and others as determined appropriate by the Sec-
retary. Such outreach— 
(1) shall be designed— 
(A) to spread awareness and under-
standing of the Program; 
(B) to spread awareness and under-
standing of veteran eligibility for the Program, 
including the eligibility of veterans who were 
discharged from service in the Armed Forces 
under conditions other than honorable; and 
(C) to improve the identification of justice- 
involved veterans; and 
(2) may be conducted in person, virtually, or 
through other means, including by the dissemination 
of informational materials and contact information. 
(b) STRATEGIC PLAN.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall develop a strategic plan for the Veterans Jus-
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tice Outreach Program. In developing such plan, the Sec-
retary shall conduct— 
(1) an assessment of barriers to working with 
justice-involved veterans in rural, remote, and under-
served areas, including potential steps to address 
such barriers; and 
(2) a workforce gap analysis for the Program. 
(c) INCREASE IN NUMBER OF VJO SPECIALISTS.— 
(1) INCREASE.—The Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs shall increase the number of Veterans Justice 
Outreach specialists responsible for supporting jus-
tice-involved veterans in rural, remote, or under-
served areas, including areas located far from De-
partment of Veterans Affairs medical centers, as de-
termined by the Secretary, through— 
(A) the hiring of additional Veterans Jus-
tice Outreach specialists; 
(B) the reallocation of existing Veterans 
Justice Outreach specialists; or 
(C) such other means as may be deter-
mined appropriate by the Secretary. 
(2) DETERMINATION.—The Secretary shall de-
termine the number of Veterans Justice Outreach 
specialists required, and the locations of such spe-
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cialists, under paragraph (1) by taking into ac-
count— 
(A) such number and locations needed to 
achieve the mission and strategic goals of the 
Veterans Justice Outreach Program; 
(B) any gaps in the workforce of the Pro-
gram, including such gaps identified pursuant 
to subsection (b)(2); and 
(C) strategies to address such gaps. 
(3) USE
OF
TECHNOLOGY.—In carrying out 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the use 
of virtual technology. 
(d) PERFORMANCE GOALS
AND IMPLEMENTATION 
PLANS.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall establish performance goals and 
implementation plans for— 
(A) the Veterans Justice Outreach Pro-
gram; 
(B) Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists; 
and 
(C) providing support for research regard-
ing justice-involved veterans. 
(2) CONSISTENCY
WITH
STRATEGIC
PLAN.— 
The Secretary shall ensure that the performance 
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goals and implementation plans under paragraph (1) 
are consistent with the strategic plan under sub-
section (b) and include— 
(A) qualitative and quantitative milestones, 
measures, and metrics, and associated timelines 
for completion of the plans under paragraph (1) 
and barriers to such completion; 
(B) an identification of relevant staff; and 
(C) an estimate of resource needs and 
sources. 
(3) PERFORMANCE DATA.—The Secretary shall 
establish a process to regularly collect and analyze 
performance data to assess the efficiency and effec-
tiveness of implementing the plans under paragraph 
(1). 
(e) TRAINING REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary shall 
ensure that all Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists re-
ceive training not less frequently than annually on— 
(1) best practices for identifying and con-
ducting outreach to justice-involved veterans and rel-
evant stakeholders in the criminal justice commu-
nity; and 
(2) veteran eligibility for the Veterans Justice 
Outreach Program, including with respect to consist-
ently communicating changes regarding eligibility 
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(including through the use of a script or other ref-
erence materials). 
(f) REPORTS ON IMPLEMENTATION.— 
(1) FIRST REPORT.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall submit to Congress a report on the fol-
lowing: 
(A) An assessment of implementing sub-
section (c), including— 
(i) strategies to increase Veterans 
Justice Outreach specialists responsible for 
supporting justice-involved veterans in 
rural, remote, or underserved areas; and 
(ii) the progress of the Secretary in 
addressing gaps in the workforce of the 
Veterans Justice Outreach Program identi-
fied pursuant to paragraph (2) of such 
subsection. 
(B) The performance goals and implemen-
tation 
plans 
established 
under 
subsection 
(d)(1). 
(2) SUBSEQUENT
REPORT.—Not later than 
three years after the date on which the first report 
is submitted under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall submit to Congress a report on the progress of 
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the Secretary in meeting the performance goals and 
carrying out activities under the implementation 
plans established under subsection (d)(1). 
(g) REPORT ON VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS.— 
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Attor-
ney General, shall submit to Congress a report on the en-
gagement of the Department of Veterans Affairs with vet-
erans treatment courts, including— 
(1) the availability and efficacy of veterans 
treatment courts in meeting the needs of justice-in-
volved veterans; 
(2) best practices for Department of Veterans 
Affairs staff and justice-involved veterans in working 
with veterans treatment courts; and 
(3) the ability of justice-involved veterans to ac-
cess veterans treatment courts, including any bar-
riers that exist to increasing such access. 
(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘justice-involved veteran’’ means 
a veteran with active, ongoing, or recent contact 
with some component of a local criminal justice sys-
tem. 
(2) The term ‘‘Veterans Justice Outreach Pro-
gram’’ means the program through which the De-
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partment of Veterans Affairs identifies justice-in-
volved veterans and provides such veterans with ac-
cess to Department services. 
(3) The term ‘‘Veterans Justice Outreach Spe-
cialist’’ means an employee of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs who serves as a liaison between the 
Department and the local criminal justice system on 
behalf of a justice-involved veteran. 
(4) The term ‘‘veterans treatment court’’ means 
a State or local court that is participating in the vet-
erans treatment court program (as defined in section 
2991(i)(1) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe 
Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797aa(i)(1))). 
SEC. 304. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS GOV-
ERNORS CHALLENGE PROGRAM. 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into 
agreements with States, territories, and American Indian 
and Alaska Native tribes for the development and imple-
mentation of veteran suicide prevention proposals through 
the Governors Challenge Program. 
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TITLE IV—MENTAL HEALTH 
CARE DELIVERY 
SEC. 401. EXPANSION OF PEER SPECIALIST SUPPORT PRO-
GRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS. 
(a) EXPANSION.—Section 506 of the VA MISSION 
Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–182; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) through (f) 
as subsections (e) through (g); 
(2) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the 
following new sentence: ‘‘Each such peer specialist 
shall be a full-time employee whose primary function 
is to serve as a peer specialist and shall be in addi-
tion to all other employees of such medical center.’’; 
(3) in the heading of subsection (b), by striking 
‘‘TIMEFRAME’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘INITIAL
TIME-
FRAME’’; 
(4) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘SELEC-
TION’’ and inserting ‘‘INITIAL SELECTION’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘The 
Secretary shall’’ and inserting ‘‘In establishing 
the program at initial locations, the Secretary 
shall’’; 
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(5) by inserting after subsection (c) the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(d) TIMEFRAME FOR EXPANSION OF PROGRAM; SE-
LECTION OF ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) TIMEFRAME FOR EXPANSION.—The Sec-
retary shall make permanent and expand the pro-
gram to additional medical centers of the Depart-
ment as follows: 
‘‘(A) As of the date of the enactment of 
the STRONG Veterans Act of 2021, the Sec-
retary shall make such program permanent at 
each medical center participating in the pro-
gram on the day before such date of enactment. 
‘‘(B) During the seven-year period fol-
lowing such date of enactment, the Secretary 
shall expand the program to an additional 25 
medical centers per year until the program is 
carried out at each medical center of the De-
partment. 
‘‘(2) SELECTION OF ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS.— 
In selecting medical centers for the expansion of the 
program under paragraph (1)(B), until such time as 
each medical center of the Department is partici-
pating in the program by establishing not fewer than 
two peer specialists at the medical center, the Sec-
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retary shall prioritize medical centers in the fol-
lowing areas: 
‘‘(A) Rural areas and other areas that are 
underserved by the Department. 
‘‘(B) Areas that are not in close proximity 
to an active duty military installation. 
‘‘(C) Areas representing different geo-
graphic locations, such as census tracts estab-
lished by the Bureau of the Census.’’; 
(6) in subsection (e), as redesignated by para-
graph (1)— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘GENDER- 
SPECIFIC SERVICES’’ and inserting ‘‘CONSIDER-
ATIONS FOR HIRING PEER SPECIALISTS’’; 
(B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘location selected under subsection 
(c)’’ and inserting ‘‘medical center’’; 
(C) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; and 
(D) by striking paragraph (2) and insert-
ing the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(2) female peer specialists are hired and made 
available to support female veterans who are treated 
at each medical center; and 
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‘‘(3) to the extent practical, peer specialists are 
hired in demographic percentages that reflect the ra-
cial and ethnic demographic percentages of the over-
all veterans population.’’; and 
(7) by amending subsection (g), as redesignated 
by paragraph (1), to read as follows: 
‘‘(g) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) PERIODIC REPORTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of the 
STRONG Veterans Act of 2021, and annually 
thereafter for five years, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the House of Representatives and the Senate 
a report on the program, including the expan-
sion of the program under subsection (d)(1). 
‘‘(B) ELEMENTS.—Each report under sub-
paragraph (A) shall include, with respect to the 
one-year period preceding the submission of the 
report, the following: 
‘‘(i) The findings and conclusions of 
the Secretary with respect to the program. 
‘‘(ii) An assessment of the benefits of 
the program to veterans and family mem-
bers of veterans. 
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‘‘(iii) An assessment of the effective-
ness of peer specialists in engaging under 
subsection (f) with health care providers in 
the community and veterans served by 
such providers. 
‘‘(iv) The name and location of each 
medical center where new peer specialists 
were hired. 
‘‘(v) The number of new peer special-
ists hired at each medical center pursuant 
to this section and the total number of 
peer specialists within the Department 
hired pursuant to this section. 
‘‘(vi) An assessment of any barriers 
confronting the recruitment, training, or 
retention of peer specialists. 
‘‘(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than one year 
after the Secretary determines that the program is 
being carried out at each medical center of the De-
partment, the Secretary shall submit to the Commit-
tees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Represent-
atives and the Senate a report notifying such com-
mittees of such determination.’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Vet-
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erans Affairs to implement section 506 of the VA MIS-
SION Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–182; 38 U.S.C. 1701 
note), as amended by subsection (a), the following 
amounts: 
(1) $3,600,000 for fiscal year 2022. 
(2) $7,200,000 for fiscal year 2023. 
(3) $10,800,000 for fiscal year 2024. 
(4) $14,400,000 for fiscal year 2025. 
(5) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2026. 
(6) $21,600,000 for fiscal year 2027. 
(7) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2028. 
SEC. 402. EXPANSION OF VET CENTER SERVICES. 
(a) VETERANS AND MEMBERS USING EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE BENEFITS.—Section 1712A of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘clauses (i) through (vi)’’ both 
places it appears and inserting ‘‘clauses (i) through 
(vii)’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘in clause (vii)’’ both places it 
appears and inserting ‘‘in clause (viii)’’; 
(3) in subsection (a)(1)(C)— 
(A) by redesignating clause (vii) as clause 
(viii); and 
(B) by inserting after clause (vi) the fol-
lowing new clause: 
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‘‘(vii) Any veteran or member of the Armed 
Forces pursuing a course of education using covered 
educational assistance benefits.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(6) The term ‘covered educational assistance 
benefits’ means educational assistance benefits pro-
vided pursuant to— 
‘‘(A) chapter 30, 31, 32, or 33 of this title; 
‘‘(B) chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10; 
‘‘(C) section 116 of the Harry W. Colmery 
Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 
(Public Law 115–48; 38 U.S.C. 3001 note); or 
‘‘(D) section 8006 of the American Rescue 
Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–2; 38 
U.S.C. 3001 note prec.).’’. 
(b) GAO REPORT.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
Senate a report assessing— 
(1) the mental health needs of veterans pur-
suing a course of education using covered edu-
cational assistance benefits (as defined in section 
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1712A(h)(6) of title 38, United States Code, as 
added by subsection (a)); and 
(2) the efforts of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs to address such mental health needs. 
SEC. 403. ELIGIBILITY FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1712A(a)(1) of title 38, 
United States Code, as amended by section 402, is further 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)(ii)— 
(A) in subclause (I), by striking ‘‘and’’; 
(B) in subclause (II), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(III) in the case of a veteran or member 
who died by suicide, to the degree that coun-
seling furnished to such individual is found to 
aid in coping with the effects of such suicide.’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (B)(i)(II)— 
(A) in item (aa), by striking ‘‘or’’; 
(B) in item (bb), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following; 
‘‘(cc) coping with the effects of a sui-
cide described in subclause (III) of such 
clause.’’; and 
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(3) in subparagraph (C)(vii)— 
(A) in subclause (I), by striking ‘‘or’’ at 
the end; 
(B) in subclause (II), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(III) veteran or member of the Armed 
Forces who died by suicide.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
subsection (a) shall apply with respect to family members 
of a member or veteran who died by suicide before, on, 
or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 404. MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATIONS. 
(a) MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATIONS FOR VET-
ERANS FILING FOR COMPENSATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter VI of chapter 11 
of title 38, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1167. Mental health consultations 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the 
date on which a veteran submits to the Secretary a claim 
for compensation under this chapter for a service-con-
nected disability relating to a mental health diagnosis, the 
Secretary shall offer the veteran a mental health consulta-
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tion to assess the mental health needs of, and care options 
for, the veteran. 
‘‘(b) AVAILABILITY.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) offer a veteran a consultation under sub-
section (a) without regard to any previous denial or 
approval of a claim of that veteran for a service-con-
nected disability relating to a mental health diag-
nosis; and 
‘‘(2) ensure that a veteran offered a mental 
health consultation under subsection (a) may elect to 
receive such consultation during the one-year period 
beginning on the date on which the consultation is 
offered or during such longer period beginning on 
such date as the Secretary considers appropriate. 
‘‘(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—A consultation pro-
vided to a veteran under this section shall not be construed 
as a determination that any disability of such veteran is 
service-connected for the purposes of any benefit under the 
laws administered by the Secretary.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of chapter 11 of such title is 
amended by adding at the end the following new 
item: 
‘‘1167. Mental health consultations.’’. 
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(b) MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATIONS FOR VET-
ERANS ENTERING HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE PRO-
GRAMS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter VII of chapter 
20 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 2068. Mental health consultations 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than two weeks after 
the date on which a veteran described in subsection (b) 
enters into a program administered by the Homeless Pro-
grams Office of the Department, the Secretary shall offer 
the veteran a mental health consultation to assess the 
health needs of, and care options for, the veteran. 
‘‘(b) VETERAN DESCRIBED.—A veteran described in 
this subsection is a veteran to whom a mental health con-
sultation is not offered or provided through the case man-
agement services of the program of the Homeless Pro-
grams Office into which the veteran enters.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of chapter 20 of such title is 
amended by adding at the end the following new 
item: 
‘‘2068. Mental health consultations.’’. 
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TITLE V—RESEARCH 
SEC. 501. VETERANS INTEGRATION TO ACADEMIC LEADER-
SHIP PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a 
report on the Veterans Integration to Academic Leader-
ship program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The 
report shall include the following: 
(1) The number of medical centers of the De-
partment, institutions of higher learning, non-college 
degree programs, and student veterans supported by 
the program, and relevant trends since the program 
began. 
(2) The staff and resources allocated to the 
program, and relevant trends since the program 
began. 
(3) An assessment of the outcomes and effec-
tiveness of the program in— 
(A) supporting student veterans; 
(B) connecting student veterans to needed 
services of the Department or services provided 
by non-Department entities; 
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(C) addressing the mental health needs of 
student veterans; 
(D) lowering the suicide risk of student 
veterans; and 
(E) helping student veterans achieve edu-
cational goals. 
(4) An assessment of barriers to expanding the 
program and how the Secretary intends to address 
such barriers. 
(5) An assessment of whether the program 
should be expanded outside of the Office of Mental 
Health and Suicide Prevention to support students 
veterans with needs unrelated to mental health or 
suicide. 
(b) UNIFORM BEST PRACTICES, GOALS, AND MEAS-
URES.—The Secretary shall establish best practices, goals, 
and measures for the Veterans Integration to Academic 
Leadership program of the Department that are uniform 
among the medical centers of the Department. 
(c) OUTREACH.—The Secretary shall conduct out-
reach among the Armed Forces, veterans service organiza-
tions, institutions of higher learning, and non-college de-
gree programs with respect to the Veterans Integration 
to Academic Leadership program of the Department. 
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(d) ASSESSMENT.—The Secretary shall assess the 
feasibility and advisability of including the suicide rate for 
student veterans in the National Veteran Suicide Preven-
tion Annual Report of the Office of Mental Health and 
Suicide Prevention of the Department. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘institution of higher learning’’ 
has the meaning given that term in section 3452 of 
title 38, United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘student veteran’’ means the fol-
lowing: 
(A) A veteran or member of the Armed 
Forces using educational assistance under any 
of the following provisions of law: 
(i) Chapter 30, 31, 32, or 33 of title 
38, United States Code, or chapter 1606 
or 1607 of title 10, United States Code. 
(ii) Section 116 of the Harry W. 
Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance 
Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–48; 38 
U.S.C. 3001 note). 
(iii) Section 8006 of the American 
Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 
117–2; 38 U.S.C. 3001 note prec.). 
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(B) A veteran who is enrolled in an institu-
tion of higher learning or other training pro-
gram, without regard to whether the veteran is 
using educational assistance specified in sub-
paragraph (A). 
SEC. 502. IMPROVEMENT OF SLEEP DISORDER CARE FUR-
NISHED BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Pursuant to the analysis con-
ducted under subsection (b), the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs shall take such action as the Secretary considers ap-
propriate to improve the assessment and treatment of vet-
erans with sleep disorders, including by conducting in- 
home sleep studies for veterans. 
(b) ANALYSIS.—The Secretary shall conduct an anal-
ysis of the ability of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
to treat sleep disorders among veterans, including— 
(1) assessment and treatment options for such 
disorders; 
(2) barriers to care for such disorders, such as 
wait time, travel time, and lack of staffing; 
(3) the efficacy of the clinical practice guide-
lines of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the 
Department of Defense for such disorders; and 
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(4) the availability of and efficacy of the use by 
the Department of Veterans Affairs of cognitive be-
havioral therapy for insomnia. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than two years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report on— 
(1) the findings from the analysis conducted 
under subsection (b); and 
(2) any actions taken under subsection (a) to 
improve the assessment and treatment of veterans 
with sleep disorders. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR IN- 
HOME SLEEP STUDIES.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $5,000,000 
to be used to conduct in-home sleep studies for veterans, 
as part of sleep disorder assessment and treatment con-
ducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
SEC. 503. STUDY ON INPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUB-
STANCE USE CARE FROM DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall complete the conduct of a study on ac-
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cess of veterans to care under the residential rehabilitation 
treatment programs of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs to determine— 
(1) if there are sufficient geographic offerings 
of inpatient mental health care, especially for vet-
erans in rural and remote communities; 
(2) if there are sufficient bed spaces at each lo-
cation, based on demand and drive time from the 
homes of veterans; 
(3) if there are any workforce-related capacity 
limitations at each location, including if beds are un-
able to be used because there are not enough pro-
viders to care for additional patients; 
(4) if there are diagnosis-specific or sex-specific 
barriers to accessing care under such programs; and 
(5) the average wait time for a bed in such a 
program, broken out by— 
(A) Veterans Integrated Service Network; 
(B) rural or urban area; 
(C) sex; and 
(D) specialty (general program, substance 
use disorder program, military sexual trauma 
program, etc.). 
(b) RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR MODIFICATIONS
TO 
TREATMENT PROGRAMS.—Using the results from the 
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study conducted under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
make recommendations for— 
(1) new locations for opening facilities to par-
ticipate in the residential rehabilitation treatment 
programs of the Department; 
(2) facilities under such programs at which new 
beds can be added; and 
(3) any additional specialty tracks to be added 
to such programs, such as substance use disorder or 
military sexual trauma, in order to meet veteran 
need and demand. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after comple-
tion of the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Sen-
ate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives a report on the findings of the study 
conducted under subsection (a) and the recommendations 
made by the Secretary under subsection (b). 
SEC. 504. STUDY ON TREATMENT FROM DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS 
AFFAIRS 
FOR 
CO-OCCURRING 
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DIS-
ORDERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall conduct a study examining— 
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(1) the availability of treatment programs for 
veterans with co-occurring mental health and sub-
stance use disorders (including both inpatient and 
outpatient care); 
(2) any geographic disparities in access to such 
programs, such as for rural and remote veterans; 
and 
(3) the average wait times for care under such 
programs. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than two years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a re-
port on the findings of the study conducted under 
subsection (a). 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by para-
graph (1) shall include— 
(A) any recommendations resulting from 
the study conducted under subsection (a) with 
respect to improving timeliness and quality of 
care and meeting treatment preferences for vet-
erans with co-occurring mental health and sub-
stance use disorders; and 
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(B) a description of any actions taken by 
the Secretary to improve care for such veterans. 
SEC. 505. STUDY ON WORKLOAD OF SUICIDE PREVENTION 
TEAMS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs, acting through the Under Secretary for Health and 
the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, shall 
conduct a study evaluating the workload of local suicide 
prevention teams of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study conducted under sub-
section (a) shall— 
(1) identify the effects of the growth of the sui-
cide prevention program of the Department on the 
workload of suicide prevention teams; 
(2) incorporate key practices for staffing model 
design in determining suicide prevention staffing 
needs; and 
(3) determine which facilities of the Depart-
ment need increased suicide prevention coordinator 
staffing to meet the needs of veterans, with an em-
phasis placed on facilities with high patient volume 
and facilities located in States with high rates of vet-
eran suicide. 
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