Vet Center Support Act
Bill: S.3194 | Sponsor: Sen. Boozman, John (R-AR)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Vet Center Support Act
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report on its provision of mental health care to veterans in covered states. A covered state is each state (including Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and any territory or possession of the United States) that has a ratio of one or fewer Vet Centers per 100,000 or more veterans residing in the state or territory. Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide social and psychological services to eligible veterans, active duty service members, and their families.
The VA must also report on the marketing and outreach funding of Vet Centers in covered states.

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a 
 report on mental health care furnished by the Department of Veterans 
  Affairs in certain States and a report on funding by Vet Centers of 
                        marketing and outreach.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Vet Center Support Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on 
        Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' 
        Affairs of the House of Representatives.
            (2) Covered state.--The term ``covered State'' means each 
        State (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and any 
        territory or possession of the United States) that has a ratio 
        of one or fewer Vet Centers per 100,000 or more veterans who 
        reside in such State (as such population is determined by the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the National 
        Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, for fiscal year 
        2021).
            (3) Vet center.--The term ``Vet Center''--
                    (A) has the meaning given that term in section 
                1712A of title 38, United States Code;
                    (B) includes Vet Center outstations; and
                    (C) does not include mobile Vet Centers.

SEC. 3. REPORT ON MENTAL HEALTH CARE FURNISHED BY DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS IN CERTAIN STATES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report regarding mental 
health care furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans 
in each covered State.
    (b) Elements.--The report under subsection (a) shall include, with 
respect to each covered State, the following:
            (1) An assessment of the ability of the Department to 
        furnish to veterans in such State--
                    (A) readjustment counseling;
                    (B) therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and 
                other trauma-related therapy;
                    (C) group counseling;
                    (D) marriage and family counseling;
                    (E) military sexual trauma counseling;
                    (F) bereavement counseling;
                    (G) screenings and referrals for medical issues;
                    (H) substance abuse assessments and referrals;
                    (I) employment assessments and referrals; and
                    (J) explanations and referrals regarding benefits 
                furnished through the Veterans Benefits Administration 
                of the Department.
            (2) An assessment of the feasibility of establishing 
        additional Vet Centers in such State.
            (3) An assessment of the feasibility of increasing staff at 
        existing Vet Centers in such State to ensure comprehensive 
        coverage.
            (4) An assessment of any barriers faced by such State 
        regarding--
                    (A) demonstrating a need for additional Vet 
                Centers, mobile Vet Centers, and community access 
                points;
                    (B) including travel time as a measure of 
                productivity while conducting outreach to underserved 
                areas; and
                    (C) building a new Vet Center.
            (5) An analysis of staffing shortages at Vet Centers in 
        such State, including delays in approving and processing new 
        hires.
            (6) An outreach strategy for using mobile Vet Centers, Vet 
        Center outstations, and community access points to ensure that 
        mental health care services reach veterans in underserved areas 
        in such State.

SEC. 4. REPORT ON MARKETING AND OUTREACH FUNDING BY VET CENTERS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report regarding funding by 
Vet Centers in covered States of marketing and outreach.
    (b) Elements.--The report under subsection (a) shall include, with 
respect to each covered State, the following:
            (1) An accounting of marketing and outreach funding for 
        each Vet Center in such State.
            (2) An assessment of the adequacy of the marketing and 
        outreach funds for each Vet Center in such State, including the 
        ability of each such Vet Center to connect with veterans about 
        services provided.
            (3) An analysis of effectiveness of each Vet Center in such 
        State to market and conduct outreach.
            (4) A marketing and outreach strategy for Vet Centers to 
        ensure that local resources are effectively utilized to connect 
        with the local veteran community in such State.
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