Vet Center Support Act
Bill: H.R.3674 | Sponsor: Rep. Phillips, Dean (D-MN)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Vet Center Support Act
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report on the mental health care furnished by the VA to veterans in states and territories of the United States that have a ratio of one Vet Center per 100,000 or more veterans.

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.

    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. ASSESSMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE FURNISHED BY THE 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 Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives 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 covered States, the following:
            (1) An assessment of the ability of the Department to 
        furnish to veterans--
                    (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.
            (3) An assessment of the feasibility of increasing staff at 
        existing Vet Centers to ensure comprehensive coverage, 
        including with respect to barriers regarding--
                    (A) demonstrating a need for additional Vet 
                Centers, mobile Vet Centers, and community access 
                points;
                    (B) including drive time as a measure of 
                productivity while conducting outreach to underserved 
                areas; and
                    (C) building a new Vet Center.
            (4) An analysis of staffing shortages at Vet Centers, 
        including delays in approving and processing new hires.
            (5) 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.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) 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 Vet Center 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).
            (2) Vet center.--The term ``Vet Center'' has the meaning 
        given that term in section 1712A of title 38, United States 
        Code, including with respect to Vet Center outstations, but not 
        including mobile Vet Centers.
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