To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish internship programs relating to behavioral health, and for other purposes.
Bill: H.R.8386 | Sponsor: Rep. Neguse, Joe (D-CO)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish paid predoctoral and postdoctoral internship programs for the purpose of training licensed officials (e.g., licensed professional counselors) to work as VA behavioral health providers at VA medical facilities.
As a condition of participating in such an internship program, the participant must enter into an agreement with the VA to work on a full-time basis as a behavioral health provider for a period of time that is at least equivalent to the period of participation in the internship program.

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish internship 
    programs relating to behavioral health, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR 
              BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish paid pre-doctoral and post-doctoral internship programs for 
the purpose of training licensed officials to work as covered 
behavioral health providers.
    (b) Employment Obligation.--
            (1) Obligation.--Subject to subparagraph (B), as a 
        condition of participating in an internship program under 
        paragraph (1), the participant shall enter into an agreement 
        with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to which the 
        participant agrees to work on a full-time basis as a covered 
        behavioral health provider for a period of a duration that is 
        at least equivalent to the period of participation in such 
        internship program.
            (2) Other terms and conditions.--An agreement entered into 
        pursuant to subparagraph (A) may include such other terms and 
        conditions as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may determine 
        necessary to protect the interests of the United States or 
        otherwise appropriate for purposes of this section, including 
        terms and conditions providing for limited exceptions from the 
        employment obligation specified in such subparagraph.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``behavioral health provider'' includes 
        psychiatry, clinical psychology, social work, counseling, and 
        related fields.
            (2) The term ``licensed official'' includes:
                    (A) Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
                    (B) Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).
                    (C) Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor 
                (LCPC).
                    (D) Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor of 
                Mental Health (LPCC).
                    (E) Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor 
                (LCMHC).
                    (F) Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP).
            (3) The term ``covered behavioral health provider'' means 
        behavioral health provider who--
                    (A) is an employee of the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs; and
                    (B) whose employment by the Secretary of Veterans 
                Affairs involves the provision of behavioral health 
                services at VA Medical facilities.
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